Rafael Benitez has laughed off the prospect of a top-four Premier League finish despite Newcastle United's encouraging start to the season.
Newcastle head into the weekend in fourth place after three successive league victories and travel to Brighton, promoted from the Championship with them last season, on Sunday.
However, while some fans may be dreaming of the days when the club rubbed shoulders with Europe's elite, Benitez is refusing to entertain the idea.
Asked -- in tongue-in-cheek fashion -- about Champions League qualification, he said: "No.
"At the moment, I am just thinking about if we can get three points against Brighton, that's it.