Martins expecting Newcastle test

The Magpies manager arrived in Madeira on Wednesday without many of his big names, some as a result of injury, suspension and illness, others by choice as he attempts to handle the demands of a long season.

However, despite seeing the visitor train at the Estadio dos Barreiros without Tim Krul, Fabricio Coloccini, Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse or Demba Ba, Martins is still expecting a tough opening Group D encounter.

He said: "It is not a surprise for me because in the first five or six games, the have used 23 or 24 players, so the manager is mixing up his players.

"He has brought these players because at the moment, it's the best team he has."

Asked later by a local journalist if his squad selection meant he was expecting an easy game, Pardew replied with a smile: "I don't think so.

"We have an important game on Sunday in the Premier League [against Norwich City] which we have to look to, and that is our priority.

"But this competition is important to us and we have brought a strong team here."

Maritimo warmed up for the game with a creditable 1-1 home draw with Sporting last weekend, 24 hours before Newcastle recovered from a poor first-half display at Everton to snatch a point.

The Premier League side has endured a mixed start to the new season after the heroics of the last campaign but again, Martins is expecting a difficult 90 minutes.

Asked how he had viewed the Magpies' start, Martins said: "It's normal. They beat Tottenham, which was a good result, and then they lost at Chelsea, which is normal because Chelsea are a very strong team.

"They played on Monday night and had a good second half, they were very, very strong.

"They play in a very British way and it will be a very, very difficult game."

Maritimo earned its place in the group stage of the competition by defeating Asteras on away goals after drawing 1-1 in Greece, and then Georgian side Dila, winning 1-0 at home and 2-0 away.

That unbeaten start to its campaign has given it confidence that it can extend it by making life intensely difficult for Newcastle in the humid conditions at its stadium.

Martins said: "It's very important to win your home games. That is our short-term aim so we can be strong in the future."

Maritimo's experience of English opposition is limited to the two UEFA Cup ties it played against Leeds United during the 1998-1999 and 2001-2002 seasons.

It lost both away legs but won both of its home games, although the Yorkshire side was ultimately triumphant on both occasions.