Anzhi Makhachkala manager Guus Hiddink has admitted that his side will have to perform to their best if they are to overcome Newcastle United on Thursday.

The Russian outfit welcome Newcastle in the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Europa League, with the home side considered as one of the favourites for the competition.

"We are going to have another very interesting and very tough contest against a team who reinforced themselves in the past weeks dramatically in a positive way," Hiddink told reporters at a press conference.

Anzhi were winners over Hannover in the previous round to advance to this stage of the competition.