NEWCASTLE have important Premier League games before their first foray into Europe next month, starting with Saturday’s trip to Brighton for which key defender Sven Botman is a doubt after damaging an ankle in last weekend’s dramatic defeat by Liverpool.

Botman hobbled off in the late stages of Sunday's defeat to Liverpool.

Manager Eddie Howe said: “Sven has had a scan. The scan doesn’t appear too good so there is definitely an injury there, but actually it presents OK, it’s not presenting too bad.

“It’s very bruised, a little bit swollen, so he’s been very lightly jogging this week. We’re going to see how he is today and make a decision for this weekend.”

Asked if the Dutchman had a chance of facing the Seagulls, Howe added: “There’s a small chance, yes. We’re going to see how he is today.”

Howe reacted to the club’s tough Champions League draw with “pure excitement” after they were handed clashes with three European heavyweights.

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The Magpies, playing in the competition for the first time in 20 years will face French champions Paris St Germain, seven-times winners AC Milan and 1997 champions Borussia Dortmund in the group stage.

Asked about his initial response to the draw, head coach Howe said: “It took me a few seconds to process it. You’re looking at it and you’re trying to fully understand, because the draw is actually quite complex – I didn’t realise it was that complicated to figure out what was going on.

“When the dust settles down, you look at it with pure excitement, really. There’s no negativity from any of us internally towards the draw. It’s hard, it’s challenging, but some great European games for us to experience, some great places to visit for our supporters, and the travel distance isn’t too bad either.

“When you add it all together, I think it’s been a great thing.”