Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says they'll embrace Europa League qualification.

Pardew is relishing the chance of stepping up to the challenge.

"The format (of the Europa League) actually works against Premier League teams because of the nature of our division," Pardew said.

"The intensity you have to have to play in a Premier League game, in some of the other leagues, the Europa League isn't so much of an issue as every game isn't as fully committed as ours.

"It's harder for the Premier League teams but that's not to say we wouldn't accept that challenge.

"We really hope for our fans more than anything that we get European football for them."