Yohan Cabaye has admitted that he never thought Newcastle United would be challenging for a Champions League spot this season.

The North East side are five points adrift of fourth place in the Premier League, with Chelsea and Arsenal above them.

"When I signed for Newcastle, I didn't think we would be in the position we are right now," the Daily Star quotes the French midfielder as saying.

"There are six clubs in England that have been up there for the last few years, so it was always going to be difficult to join them. The good start we had helped and we began to believe we could stay near the top."

The Magpies travel to North London this evening for a league clash against fourth-placed Arsenal.