Guus Hiddink has challenged his Anzhi players to beat Newcastle in tonight’s first leg on the artificial surface at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium.

Hiddink last faced Newcastle as Chelsea manager in April 2009, winning 2-0 in the first game of Alan Shearer’s brief tenure as manager. He knows Alan Pardew’s much improved class of 2013 represent a far tougher proposition.

“Newcastle are a strong, modern team so it’s a big challenge but we have some high quality players of our own,” said Hiddink. Pardew left the unwell Papiss Cisse and the rested Jonas Gutierrez behind along with the injured Tim Krul and Fabricio Coloccini. Hatem Ben Arfa, who hasn’t played since tearing a hamstring in December, should make the bench.

NEWCASTLE UTD (4-2-3-1, probable) Elliot; Simpson, S Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Tiote, Cabaye; Obertan, Sissoko, Marveaux; Shola Ameobi.