Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew admits their league position is a concern going into their Europa League clash with Benfica.

Pardew admits it is difficult to put thoughts about Newcastle's Premier League predicament to one side at the moment, but insists his injury-depleted team are capable of doing well both domestically and in Europe for the rest of the season.

"It is not easy to forget about, because we are in a position where pressure is on us," Pardew said. "We acknowledge that pressure and it is something we have to address in Premier League games.

"But we have had some criticism for not taking the Europa League seriously, and then there have even been a couple of suggestions that we are now taking it too seriously, regarding our Premier League position.

"We have tried to enter every game to win it. My team is a strong one, which has the confidence to progress in this competition - good as the opposition are - and the quality to ensure our safety in the Premier League, regardless of the injuries we have had."