EDDIE READY FOR THE SPECIAL ONE

EDDIE HOWE has laughed off any prospect of Jose Mourinho parking the bus at St James’ Park tonight.

- BY LEE RYDER

The Special One brings his Benfica side to Tyneside without a point on the board in the competition.

Their last Liga Portugal game ended in a 0-0 stalemate away to Porto with Mourinho's team sitting back and managing just one shot on target.

Mourinho takes on a Newcastle side sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table, with Europe looked at as an escape for the Magpies this term after an unconvincing start.

Howe, with a laugh, said: “I don't like the phrase ‘park the bus’ to be honest!

“It was not a ‘park the bus’ performance, it was a disciplined performance but they were an attacking threat as well. Especially in the second half.

“Regardless of what tactical plan they deliver I think they will have attacking threats. And ones that we are going to have to deal with very well.”