Newcastle boss looking forward to taking on Tottenham

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is excited by the challenge of taking on Tottenham in the first game of the 2012-13 season.

Spurs are scheduled to face the Magpies at St James’ Park on August 18 in what will be a standout fixture on the opening weekend.

Spurs finished in fourth- one place and four points ahead of Pardew’s side- and although the north Londoners ran out 5-0 winners when the two sides faced off at White Hart Lane last season, the former West Ham boss took great heart from the 2-2 draw in the north east last October.

“When you look back to last year the game with Spurs was one of the best games for us at home last season,” he told the Chronicle.

“They will have a new manager and it will be tough.

“But we are already looking forward to it.”