Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is excited to be leading the club back into Europe.

Pardew's Toon face Atromitos in their Europa League qualifier tonight.

Pardew said: "It's been something to look forward to. We are all focused on it and treating it as an adventure. It's a new experience for some who have not been involved in Europe and it will be nice. We think we have prepared well.

"We are looking forward to the different styles of play, different stadia and, hopefully, continuing on. We want to do what Spurs did a few years ago and claim a few scalps like Milan.

"I had a text from Jose Mourinho on Tuesday wishing us all the best and it's things like that which make you realise things are good. We are getting noticed, which is good. It's nice for the team that other managers are looking at us.

"It gives you as a club different credentials than just another Premier League team. You look at Everton, they were great against Manchester United on Monday - and they are not in Europe. It's a feather in our cap.

"We are proud we have done it through the league. I got into Europe with West Ham through a cup final and we probably drew the best team. This time around it doesn't look so tough. But we have still got to win and it will be tough, especially this first leg."