Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew expects Europa League opponents Atromitos to be no pushovers.

Athens-based Atromitos finished fourth in the Greek Super League last season, 23 points adrift of champions Olympiacos, who drew 1-1 with Newcastle in Portugal last month.

Pardew told the club's official website, nufc.co.uk: "It will be a hard game, for sure. You don't finish fourth in your league unless you've got something going on, so they are obviously on the up.

"It's a tough journey which is going to take a little bit away from us.

"Certainly coming back from there to go to Chelsea on a Saturday is not ideal."