Barca start ...and PSG for pudding

EDDIE HOWE knew his side were facing an almighty challenge in Europe this season when the Champions League draw was made in Switzerland on Thursday.

- BY KEITH WEBSTER

But if Newcastle fans were in any doubt about the size of the task on the continent over the next five months, they only had to look at how their league phase is bookended after UEFA released the dates yesterday.

A campaign of eight games will start with a visit to St James' Park two weeks on Thursday from the electrifying teenager Lamine Yamal and the rest of the glittering Barcelona lineup.