AFTER proving their defensive mettle home and away against Kharkiv, Vurnon Anita believes Newcastle United have shown they have what it takes to win the Europa League.

Super-rich Dagestan club Anzhi Makhachkala provide a formidable hurdle between the Magpies and the quarter-finals.

Others could lie in wait beyond that, with Inter Milan, Lazio, Chelsea, Tottenham and Benfica still in the competition.

However, after keeping Metalist Kharkiv at bay over 180 minutes of football, former Ajax midfielder Anita sees nothing to worry about.

He said: “We must take it step by step but the belief must always be there that we can win it (the Europa League) otherwise you will never win something.

“We believe we can win this competition and we’ll do our best.”

It is the defensive resilience shown against a side based around talented Brazilian and Argentinian attackers which most encouraged Anita. He added after the 1-0 aggregate win: “It was a good performance by us in Ukraine.

“We kept a zero (a clean sheet) and that’s important in those games.

“We nicked a goal and that was enough.

“We know it’s difficult to play away in those countries and we’re through to the next round, so everybody’s happy.

“We were always confident we could finish the job.

“Not conceding a goal in the first game gives you a little more confidence to go away.”

With Newcastle having been comprehensively beaten at St Mary’s earlier in the season, Southampton will provide another stern test for the Magpies at St James’ Park tomorrow.

Again, though, Anita is viewing the game very positively.

He said: “Southampton seem to have been lifted by the arrival of a new manager but we must look at ourselves. We must take strength from ourselves and our supporters.”