Alan Pardew: 'Metalist Kharkiv are a step up'

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has claimed that Metalist Kharkiv will be a step up in opposition when they meet in the Europa League.

The Magpies, who finished second in their group to Bordeaux, host the Ukrainian club in the first leg of their last-32 tie on Thursday.

"We are obviously going up a level in terms of opposition," Pardew told reporters.

"No disrespect to Bordeaux, who won our group, but Metalist are a little bit stronger than them and this is a huge test for us."

Thursday marks the first meeting between the two clubs.