LUCK OF DRAW IS AGAINST MAGPIES

Howe's rude awakening

- By Chris McKenna

EDDIE HOWE has had the summer from hell trying to land a striker and dealing with Alexander Isak’s desire to quit the club for Liverpool.

But if the Newcastle manager thought he might get some reprieve with a favourable Champions League draw then he was given a rude awakening.

The Magpies are back in the big time after their fifth-placed finish last season in the Premier League.

But, after they finished bottom of their Champions League group the last time they were in the competition, they were dealt a horror draw for the league phase this season.