Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye believes gaining Europa League experience will allow the club to soon compete in the Europe's premier club competition.
The Magpies are preparing for their second group stage fixture of UEFA's second tier league against Bordeaux at home tomorrow night and Cabaye feels it would be wise to use these types of games as a stepping stone towards the Champions League.
"With Lille we played for three or four years in the Europa League and I think that competition helped us to win the French title and the French cup," said the Frenchman.
"It's important to play 100% in this competition to get more experience for the future.
"Now we have got the Europa League, so we have to play to win the game because we are playing at home.
"We know Bordeaux are a good team, but we are a good team as well, so we have to win the game to have a winning mentality.
"I knew before I came here that Newcastle was and is still a big club in England, but last season we worked really hard every game to try to play in a European competition.
"The Europa League will give much experience to all players, especially the young ones, so we have to be focused and try to keep working to win every game and to play for the top of the league."
