Exclusive: Champions League 'will test and stretch us', says Newcastle boss Eddie Howe ahead of draw in Monaco

In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, Eddie Howe says he is under no illusions about the size of the task facing Newcastle in the Champions League this season, believing the competition will "test and stretch" his group.

Newcastle will feature in Europe's elite tournament this term by virtue of finishing fourth in last season's Premier League, entering alongside fellow English representatives Manchester City - who will defend the crown after their momentous 2022/23 triumph - Arsenal and Manchester United.

The draw for the 2023/24 edition - which sees the group stage begin on September 19/20 - takes place on August 31 in Monaco at 17:00 UK time. You can follow our coverage of the draw on TNT Sports 1 from 16:45.

It will be Newcastle's first appearance in the Champions League proper since the 2002/3 campaign.

Howe told TNT Sports: "Behind the scenes there's been a lot of preparation and making sure that we're [as] organised as we can be for the Champions League and everything that that brings.

"I think for me, I haven't really gone there yet mentally, we've got so many Premier League games before the competition starts.

"We need to make sure we're ready for it because it will be a change and an added dynamic for the season.

"I'm sure it will test us and stretch us in lots of different ways, but I think ultimately we have to look at it as a huge positive, and we're really looking forward to it."

In an interview this summer with NUFCTV, Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan said that he expected the club to qualify for the Champions League, even if the jump from an 11th-placed finish in 2021/22 to fourth in 2022/23 represented a significant one.

Al-Rumayyan also spoke of his "ambition and aspiration" for the club to be "number one".

Reflecting on that target, Howe said: "It's not something I've ever thought about really, in the sense that that's the outcome.

"The way you get there - to be number one - is to have the highest standards you possibly can, to get every area of the club right, whether that's medical, recruitment, the coaching - everything.

"It's about being better and better and better, and ultimately hopefully then you try and get close to that goal of being number one.

"But I think it's probably for other people to set those targets, and for me to try and deliver it is about maintaining as high a standard as possible in every area of the football club.

"I try not to think of outcomes, I always think of how to do it."

Of his own personal goals, Howe added: "For me, it's about being the best 'me' I can be.

"It's educating myself as much as I can, it's about making sure I'm in the best frame of mind to attack my day every single working day, [that] is hugely important.

"And it's always about development and learning, and I always want to have that mentality right until the day I stop coaching because the game moves on so quickly.

"I'm happy with that we're delivering at the moment but we have a long way to go to fully achieve our long-term aims and ambitions."

You can watch the Champions League draw live on TNT Sports.

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