TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand believes the fitness of Newcastle’s players will be key to the Magpies  “fighting” for Champions League qualification for a second successive season.

Despite losing 1-0 to Manchester City at the weekend, Ferdinand insisted that Eddie Howe’s side possess all of the ingredients required to challenge for a top 4/5 finish once again:

“This is what the DNA of this football club is right now. A fast-paced, dynamic, aggressive team. And they’re fit. There’s a group of players there, you think to yourself ‘Wow, there’s quality but they’re all physically tip-top’.”

“Playing against that, you know you’re going to be physically tested, no doubt. I think they’re going to be there or thereabouts. They’re definitely going to be fighting for those Champions League places.”

A lot depends on how Newcastle cope with extra fixtures

As Ferdinand mentions, Howe demands a lot of his players physically and it remains to be seen how that will translate when they start playing in the Champions League next month.

Playing with the same intensity every few days is difficult, even for the very best teams, so the Magpies will need to rely on their squad to get them through.

Champions League qualification could depend on a number of factors

Extra games won’t be the only obstacle that Newcastle will have to overcome. After dropping off the pace last season, Liverpool, Chelsea and even Tottenham could emerge as top-four contenders, along with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.

There is, of course, one factor that could make qualification easier. If England does get one of the two extra Champions League places that are up for grabs, fifth could yet be good enough for Howe’s men to secure a place in Europe’s elite for a second year in a row.

It’s likely to be a campaign full of ups and downs but Ferdinand seems more confident than most that the Magpies will still be in contention come May.