Eddie Howe's team news update: Botman and Wissa latest ahead of Qarabağ tie | OneFootball

The Magpies carry a 6-1 lead into the contest after a convincing first leg win in Baku last week, which came courtesy of four goals from Anthony Gordon and strikes from Malick Thiaw and Jacob Murphy.

Howe's side now have the chance to make sure of their place in the last 16 and set up a tie with either Barcelona or Chelsea, and he says he will "try to pick a strong team" to make sure of their progress, with defender Botman and forward Wissa both in with a chance of returning to the squad.

But the United head coach admits he doesn't want to lose the "rhythm" his charges have built up over recent weeks - something he says he will be mindful of when he names his starting 11 for Newcastle's second meeting with Gurban Gurbanov's men.

Here are some of the main talking points from Monday evening's pre-match media briefing:

On his team selection for Tuesday's game...

"We'll look at the squad and try to pick a strong team. We want to win the game, that's the first target. In some senses we want to keep a good rhythm with the players.

"It's a delicate balance between rotating the squad and making sure everyone's fresh and also making sure players don't lose rhythm and we don't lose the good feeling we've had."

On Botman and Wissa's fitness...

"We hope they'll be involved. We'll see how they are when they wake up tomorrow, but fingers crossed they will be."

On the club's Champions League exploits so far this term...

"There have been some great performances in the Champions League, and we've sort of saved our best for the competition.

"A lot was made of the result against Qarabağ in the first leg but for me it was the performance and the manner and the hunger we showed. That's the level I want us to try and attain, or as close as we can, as often as possible."

On the prospect of reaching the last 16...

"It's something we spoke about before the competition started - that was our initial target, we wanted to reach the last-16. Then when you're at that point anything can happen.

"We back ourselves in cup ties and one-off games, that seems to have brought out the best of the squad this year. As much as that's the target, we've still got to win tomorrow's game and that's what we'll focus on."

On the mood in the United camp after a run of three wins from their last four outings...

"The atmosphere around the squad has been really strong in the last few weeks. It's been a really good response to a difficult period for us.

"We're ready for tomorrow's game."