Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote has insisted that the club can qualify for Europe this season.

The Magpies reached the Europa League following a successful 2011-12 campaign, but they could only manage a 16th-placed finish in the Premier League last term.

"It is almost the same group of players here as two years ago," he told The Chronicle

"We showed two years ago that we can compete for the top places in the Premier League. Now we are hoping that we can do that again."

Newcastle start the new campaign on Monday when they travel to Manchester City.