Bristol City boss Gary Johnson believes his side will face a "Premier League challenge" when they travel to Newcastle on Saturday.

The Magpies have had a fine start to life in the Championship, sitting top of the table having lost just one game, and despite losing some of their top players in the summer, Johnson is in no doubt they are a side playing below their station.

He told the Evening Post: "This is the first game any of us looked for when the fixtures came out in the summer. Newcastle away is something special for our club.

"It's what I call one of those special occasions, one of those days we and the supporters look forward to and get excited about.

"They are a team of millionaires and most of them are established Premiership stars. They've moved some out, like Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins, but they've also brought some in and not a lot has changed.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for us to show what we can do against a top side and we have to go there and be positive and give them a game. There are 3,000 people going from Bristol and we owe it to them to give it a right go. I've told the lads they have to enjoy the whole experience and show they can handle that Premier League challenge."