NEWCASTLE manager Eddie Howe has heaped praise on Albion ahead of the match between the two sides at the Amex this afternoon.

Howe took over at St James' Park last season and helped lead the club away from the threat of relegation and into mid-table.

This result came as a great relief to the club;s new Saudi ownership, who are hoping to turn Newcastle into one of the biggest teams in Europe.

But first they have to cement themselves in among the best in England and by doing that they must be able to overcome teams such as Albion, who also are trying to break the establish mold in the Premier League by improving on their record finish last season.

The Magpies boss is aware of the threat Albion pose and has a good record against Graham Potter having beaten him during his time at AFC Bournemouth and at Newcastle last season.

However, Howe still thinks that the Seagulls will be a "huge challenge" for his side and is hopeful his team can counter them and continue their winning start to the season following their win over newly-promoted Nottingham Forest last weekend.

The manager had is attention on the match against Albion immediately following the end of the game against Forest.

Howe told the media: "As soon as that final whistle went, my mind moved onto the next game.

"One win is great and to get that early is a huge boost for everybody, but we need to back it up.

"We want to back it up. We want to be consistent in our results and our performances.

"They're [Albion] a very unique team. When you play them you have a huge challenge on your hands.

"Tactically I think they're excellent - I think Graham [Potter] has done an amazing job.

"This is a big challenge for us and we need to respond to it."

Howe has also spoken on Dan Burn's return to the Amex Stadium. Burn left Albion to join Newcastle in January and Howe believed that it will be a "huge" day for the towering defender.

He said: "It'll be a huge day for him going back there. He has been brilliant for us.

"He's never had it easy in the game and has had to graft where he's up to.

"He's calm, a great presence around the dressing-room and the lads really look up to him."

Magpies defender Matt Targett is also expecting a tough test when facing Albion, despite the comfortable win over Nottingham Forest last weekend.

The Argus: Matt Targett Matt Targett

He told NUFCTV: "We are a difficult team to face now, and that is down to him [Eddie Howe] and how hard we work.

"I think every time you play Brighton, it is a tough test, especially since Graham Potter came in there.

"They play unbelievable football, and they make it real hard for you, so it is going to be a massive test for us this weekend.

"But it will be nice to see where we are at as a squad and as a team.

"Obviously, I think Brighton are a much better footballing side than Nottingham Forest, who are still finding their feet, so it will be a tougher test for sure.

"But our aim is to try and recreate that game[the win against Forest] and be dominant on the ball and create lots of chances, that is how we want to be, so I am hoping for the same, but the opposition is better for sure."