Alan Pardew blames Newcastle United's domestic slump on Europa League

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has said that his side's Europa League campaign has negatively affected their domestic form.

The Magpies, who host Maritimo in their seventh continental fixture of the season tonight, have taken just one point from their last three games in the Premier League.

"It's difficult," said Pardew. "We go to Southampton at the weekend and they will have a day off and two training days leading into it. For us it's a working day, a game, a recovery day, then Southampton.

"We've lost a little bit of rhythm because we have not been able to do the work on the training ground because of games.

"I think that in the Premier League we play a heavier schedule than most European leagues and for Premier League teams it is difficult in this competition. I do feel that it needs to be looked at a little bit."

Newcastle can seal their place in the knockout stage of the Europa League with a win against Maritimo.