Up to this point, those inside the Magpies camp have been quick to play down any talk of booking a place at European football's top table.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore their claims to such a seat, though, with a 2-0 victory over Bolton on Monday, coupled with Tottenham's surprise 2-1 defeat by Norwich, keeping them very much in the hunt.

Alan Pardew's side sit level on points with fourth-placed Spurs with five games of the season remaining and Cisse, who has netted 10 goals in nine games to fire Newcastle into contention, insists anything is possible.

The Senegal international said: "Everyone is trying to stay calm. But of course it would be fantastic for this club to be in the Champions League.

Results

"We don't really want to talk about it as we must take it match by match but of course it's difficult not to think about it. We are now so close.

"It is within touching distance and yet still there are five games to go, which is a long way.

"Of course I've watched the results in other matches. That is only natural. I'm human.

"Chelsea scored in the last minute against Wigan, which was a shame for us, but there are still five games and 15 points at stake.

"We must keeping going and giving everything, but it's my dream to play in the Champions League.

"We're in there with several other teams in with a chance of making it. I can't belie it, but we are."

Focused

Yohan Cabaye is another allowing himself to dream, with the French midfielder of the opinion that Newcastle can force their way into the top four before the season is out.

He said: "If our mentality stays the same, why not? We have to go match by match.

"The next one is against Stoke and then Wigan, then Chelsea. That's all we can do.

"But we aren't in the Champions League places yet. We just have to stay focused on our training.

"I can't imagine how good it would be to hear the Champions League music at our stadium."