Howe highlights midfield battle as key for Newcastle's trip to Marseille

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe believes the midfield battle in their upcoming Champions League clash against Marseille could decide the outcome.

The Magpies have won three of their four Champions League games so far this season, leaving them sixth in the standings, while Marseille are one place outside the play-off places with three points to their name.

Bruno Guimaraes has been a key player for Newcastle in the competition thus far. He has made the joint-most passes breaking the opposition's defensive line in the Champions League this season (nine – level with Joshua Kimmich).

And Atletico Madrid (35) are the only team with more defensive line-breaking passes than the Magpies (32) in the competition overall this term.

Howe highlighted the midfield as a key area to focus on, especially in what he expects to be a hostile atmosphere at the Orange Velodrome.

"We have travelled early; we will train at the stadium. Tomorrow our preparation will be slightly different," said Howe on Monday.

"The most important decision is how we play. The midfield battle will be key for us; we need to do well technically with the ball.

"This will be a really tough game for us, but we feel we can rise to the challenge.

"We are in the thick of the Champions League, we have to try and win each game. It's a nice stadium, I am sure the atmosphere will be red-hot. We need to make sure we use that to make our performance stronger."

Anthony Gordon missed Newcastle's last two fixtures against Manchester City and Brentford through injury, but could play a role against Marseille.

Gordon has been directly involved in five goals in four Champions League games this season (four goals, one assist), with only Victor Osimhen (six) recording more contributions in the current edition.

The only Newcastle player with more goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign is Alan Shearer, who had seven in the 2002-03 season (six goals, one assist).

Howe added: "We are good, boosted by the result against Manchester City. Team news-wise, we are similar; we welcome back Dan Burn from suspension. Anthony Gordon and Emil Krafth have travelled with us; Kieran Trippier hasn't."