'Incredible!': Roberto De Zerbi makes Newcastle United Champions League claim amid injury absences

Newcastle United "deserve" Champions League football, according to Roberto De Zerbi.

Eddie Howe's side are third in the Premier League, and a point ahead of Liverpool, with three games left to play this season.

Next up are De Zerbi's sixth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion team at St James' Park tomorrow night, and Newcastle are looking to take another big step towards Champions League qualification.

"He's doing an incredible job – they deserve to play in the Champions League," said De Zerbi, who succeeded Graham Potter at the Amex Stadium last September. "

"They're a very strong team. I think it’s a very tough game, but not just for Brighton, for everyone, every team. We're fighting for our history and target. If we want to reach the historic target, we have to make historic results.

"We're winning incredible targets. To reach an incredible target, you have to win incredible games."

The game is another home sell-out, and De Zerbi added: “For me it’s an honour to play in this stadium.

"I’m looking forward to playing, because the passion of the fans is the best of football. It'll be nice to have the possibility to play. We play to win, for sure."

De Zerbi – whose side ended Arsenal's title hopes with a 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium last weekend – will be without three players for the game.

Brighton's head coach said: "No (Joel) Veltman, no (Ben) Webster, no (Solly) March and no (Robert) Sanchez tomorrow.

"We'll more or less have the same squad as against Arsenal. I need tot think of the condition of my players."