Vurnon Anita hopes Newcastle United take the Europa League seriously.

Former club Ajax have won four European Cups, a UEFA Cup and Cup-Winners Cup throughout their glorious history.

This is why Anita is the one player at St James' Park who will take the Europa League with absolute seriousness.

He told the Sunday Sun "The Bordeaux game the other week gave us a good victory.

"We have four points from two games in our group, with two matches to come at home, so we are in a really good position.

"European football and doing well in this competition is really important for me. I grew up at Ajax, a club which built its reputation on the European history they have. Everyone in football looks to both the Champions League and Europa League and which teams does well, because they are the top competitions.

"The further we can go this season, the better known Newcastle as club will become so it is important for us to play good football and win when we can."