Eddie Howe declared his Newcastle side will always play to win after they were dumped out of Europe by AC Milan at St James' Park.

A draw would have been enough for the Magpies to secure a place in the Europa League play-offs but a late Samuel Chukwueze winner saw the Tynesiders finish bottom of Group F instead.

And Howe admitted he was left devastated after the match — though was insistent he will not stop playing "the Newcastle way" anytime soon.

He said: "We wanted to qualify for the Champions League, that was our intention before and during the match.

"I am not sure in that moment we can take that will away from the players.

"We have to learn from it and quickly put it away. 

"We will always try and be proactive instead of reactive. I would like to think that is the Newcastle way and that’s how we have to be now and in the future."

Newcastle returned to Europe's top competition for the first time in 20 years but were placed in the so-called 'group of death'.

Although they may not have progressed on this occasion, Howe believes his players can be proud of what they achieved.

He added: "I said to the players after that we can't regret the effort we have given.

"Physically they have given so much to every game, so there is no part of me that thinks they haven't been committed.

"I would love the opportunity [to try again] and we have to look at it very quickly.

"We are still close enough in the Premier League to qualify.

"These things happen for a reason. I am a believer in that, the players have been resilient and it would have been easy to not perform in our circumstances.

"The ambition is there from all of us but doesn't mean it will happen, we have to make it happen."