Atromitos v Newcastle preview
Magpies return to continental competition
Last Updated: August 23, 2012 11:42am
Newcastle return to continental competition with a trip to Greece to tackle Atromitos in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying play-off.
The Magpies are back in Europe for the first time since 2006/07, when they blew the chance to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup following an away goals exit at the hands of AZ Alkmaar.
Alan Pardew's side booked their place in the Europa League courtesy of their impressive fifth-place finish in the Premier League.
They now face the additional challenge of juggling the twin demands of domestic and European action, with Saturday's testing Premier League trip to Chelsea looming large on the horizon.
Pardew will be without a series of key players for the first leg clash in Greece.
Suspended
France international Hatem Ben Arfa is suspended after being sent off in his final European game for Marseille in March 2010.
Fabricio Coloccini, Cheick Tiote, Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi all stayed behind with minor injuries, although they are expected to be fit for Saturday's trip to Stamford Bridge.
Shane Ferguson and Haris Vuckic have also missed out, but summer signings Gael Bigirimana and Romain Amalfitano and 17-year-old striker Adam Campbell could get a chance.
Atromitos are yet to get their domestic campaign under way and will play their first game of the new Greek Super League season on Sunday.
They were the surprise package in Greece last season, reaching their second successive Greek Cup final and finishing fourth in the table under former boss Giorgis Donis, with new coach Dusan Bajevic now at the helm.
