Newcastle United approach the second leg against Qarabag with the tie almost settled, yet Eddie Howe is determined to field a competitive side at St. James' Park on Tuesday. The 6-1 victory in Baku leaves Newcastle close to a first Champions League last-16 place.

The scoreline also gives Newcastle a chance to set a new club landmark in major European competition. Their biggest aggregate win so far is 10-2 against Royal Antwerp in the 1994-95 UEFA Cup, and that record is now under serious threat.

Newcastle led 5-0 by half-time in Azerbaijan, underlining the scale of control in the first leg. They became only the second club to hold a five-goal half-time advantage in a Champions League knockout match, following Bayern Munich against Porto in the 2014-15 quarter-finals.

The 6-1 margin in Baku was the 301st time a team has won the first leg of a major European tie by at least five goals. All of the previous 300 sides in that position have advanced, so history points strongly towards Newcastle completing the job against Qarabag on Tuesday.

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Howe stressed that the comfortable advantage will not change the approach or ambition at St. James' Park. "We'll look at the squad and try to pick a strong team," Howe told reporters. "We want to win the game; that's the first target. We want to keep a good rhythm with the players. It's a delicate balance between rotating the squad and making sure everyone's fresh and also making sure players don't lose rhythm and we don't lose the good feeling we've had."

Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa are being monitored closely after recent absences. Botman has missed three matches with a back problem, while Wissa has sat out four games. "We hope they'll be involved," Howe said. "We'll see how they are when they wake up tomorrow, but fingers crossed, they will be."

Howe also highlighted how the mood inside the camp has shifted following a difficult spell earlier in the season.

That improvement in confidence is one factor behind Newcastle’s strong Champions League form this season.

Howe believes performances in Europe have often exceeded domestic displays and wants that standard maintained against Qarabag. He said: "There have been some great performances in the Champions League, and we've saved our best for the competition. A lot was made of the result against Qarabag in the first leg, but for me, it was the performance and the manner of it, and the hunger we showed. That's the level I want us to try and attain, or get as close as we can, as often as possible."

Newcastle now stand on the verge of club history, with progression to the last 16 almost secured and a record aggregate win within reach. Howe’s focus on rhythm, intensity and squad freshness suggests Newcastle will treat the second leg seriously, rather than simply protecting their commanding lead.