BENFICA'S Estadio da Luz has proven a fortress both domestically and in Europe this season, but manager Alan Pardew insists Newcastle United are not facing Mission Impossible in their tough quarter-final duel.

The Magpies trained in the 65,000-capacity venue – which is likely to be filled by 45,000 Portuguese and 3,500 Geordies – yesterday afternoon, moments after Pardew had discussed the task ahead.

A Lisbon-based newspaper, Record, had suggested Benfica's fantastic form this season should have Newcastle running scared ahead of tonight's first leg.

The Portuguese giants, unbeaten in 13 home games in the Europa League, sit four points clear of Porto at the top of Liga ZON Sagres after going unbeaten in the league this season.

Benfica, who have not lost at all since a Champions League defeat to Spartak Moscow in October and boasting 102 goals this season, also warmed up for the visit of Newcastle by beating ninth-placed Rio Ave 6-1 in their last game, while Manchester City were beating the Magpies 4-0.

Pardew, whose side have not conceded a goal in 377 minutes of European football, said: “In football there is never a mission impossible. We acknowledge also that it is a tough task for us to come and get a victory here. But we can get a good result and there’s a difference because it’s a two-legged game and we have a good record in that. But we need to give ourselves a chance for next Thursday.”

He added: “Benfica's attacking options are varied. That's probably the strength that they have. They have a lot of flair in their side, two very progressive full-backs and it will be difficult to contain them if we come here just to defend.

“We lacked a little bit of ambition at Manchester City because we kept releasing possession. Possession will be very, very important on Thursday night. Both teams are good in possession, so that will be a key element.”

In the aftermath of the defeat at the Etihad, Pardew had been made aware of criticism that his team had taken their eye off the fight for Premier League survival.

Newcastle have slipped back to within three points of the relegation zone after losing back-to-back games to Wigan and City, but Pardew insists there is a double aim this season – including progressing to the semi-finals of the Europa League.

He said: “It’s not easy to forget about the Premier League. Wigan and Southampton winning their home games has put pressure on us and we acknowledge that pressure. That is something we have to address in Premier League games.

“We’ve had criticism for not taking the Europa League seriously and a couple of journalists even suggested that we now take the Europa League too seriously and that is subject to our Premier League position.

“We are not taking anything over one competition. We try to enter every game to win it. We’ve not been at full strength for a lot of games this year and again on Thursday I don’t think I’m at full strength. But we’ve tried and been honest in our performances.”

Newcastle will still be without skipper Fabricio Coloccini, Hatem Ben Arfa, Massadio Haidara and Cheik Tiote tonight, but do have goalkeeper Tim Krul and full-back Davide Santon available again after injury.

Pardew believes every little helps ahead of such a big night of European football in a city he loves. He said: “I don't think we need it to be more of an occasion with this stadium and this club. It's a fantastic club and we're privileged to be here and to play against Benfica.

“The competition has brought some welcome relief for our fans to what has been a sticky Premier League campaign.

“We're missing big players and we've missed those big players all year. But our fans have been consistent - they've been consistently brilliant and they'll bring a nice atmosphere here to the city. I heard that Celtic's fans did themselves proud here and I hope ours will do the same.”

When Celtic faced Benfica in the group stages of the Champions League earlier in the season, the Scottish champions were beaten 2-1 at the Estadio da Luz and Pardew has been in touch with Parkhead.

“I know the city well and also Neil Lennon, who is manager of Celtic, who I've been in contact with, because it's important to get as much information as possible,” said Pardew. “I'm sure Benfica have got information on us.

“I think that at St James' Park we can beat anybody so if we can give ourselves a chance from the first leg that would be an ideal way to start. We have no doubt about that game: we can beat Benfica at St James' Park.

“This is the decider in terms of how difficult that's going to be. We need to put on a performance where we can take something back to St James' Park to give us a chance. I think it's going to be very, very difficult to beat Benfica full stop, really, in both ties. We certainly need to give ourselves a chance.”

BENFICA:(4-2-3-1): Artur; Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo; Enzo Perez, Matic; Gaitan, Lima, John; Cardozo.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Krul; Simpson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Taylor, Santon; Cabaye, Anita; Marveaux, Sissoko, Gutierrez; Cisse.