Welcome to the Toon, Kylian! Mbappe is the centre of attention as PSG arrive on Tyneside in their very conspicuous team bus for eagerly-anticipated Champions League clash with Newcastle United

• Paris Saint-Germain have arrived in Newcastle ahead of Wednesday’s clash
• City is abuzz with excitement at first home Champions League game since 2003 
• CLICK HERE to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ 

Kylian Mbappe was unsurprisingly the centre of attention as Paris Saint-Germain arrived on Tyneside for their blockbuster Champions League clash with Newcastle United.

The France star cheerfully waved to fans who’d gathered to greet PSG at their Quayside hotel.

Mbappe wasn’t stopping to sign autographs but coach Luis Enrique did oblige after PSG rolled into town on their customised team bus.

Newcastle is abuzz at the prospect of a first home Champions League fixture since 2003 with the visit of the French champions and their star players guaranteeing an electric atmosphere at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.

Eddie Howe’a side started their Group F campaign solidly enough with a goalless draw away to AC Milan a fortnight ago.

Kylian Mbappe waves to the fans gathered outside Paris Saint-Germain’s team hotel as the French champions arrived on Tyneside for their Champions League clash with Newcastle

The French star arrives at PSG’s team hotel by the Quayside ahead of Wednesday’s match

PSG travelled from the airport in their branded team coach ahead of the St James’ Park match

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But if they’re to stand any chance of advancing from a demanding group that also features Borussia Dortmund, they realistically need to take something from this one.

PSG beat Dortmund 2-0 on matchday one courtesy of an Mbappe penalty and a second from Achraf Hakimi and will be eager to push on.

The Toon have won all three of their matches since that draw in the San Siro so shouldn’t be short of confidence.

These included an 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and a 2-0 home league win over Burnley.

PSG, meanwhile, thrashed their great rivals Marseille 4-0 before being held to an unexpected 0-0 draw at Clermont, leaving them fifth in Ligue 1.

Newcastle’s preparation for the big game has been dented by a trio of injury absentees from training on Tuesday.

Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Sven Botman were all absent from the session at Darsley Park. However, Callum Wilson was back alongside his team-mates after a hamstring injury.

PSG coach Luis Enrique stops to sign autographs for fans outside the team hotel

Callum Wilson returned to Newcastle training on Tuesday, with the Magpies appearing to be in jovial spirits ahead of their massive Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain

Wilson missed recent victories over Man City and Burnley because of a hamstring injury

Sandro Tonali (left) was the shock absence from training, with Sven Botman and Joelinton also missing in a blow for Eddie Howe’s side

Joelinton is a major doubt for the PSG game after limping out of the Burnley win with a hamstring issue. Defender Botman has a knee problem and won’t be back until after the internationals.

Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock will miss out once again as they continue their recoveries from respective foot and ankle injuries.

This is the first time Newcastle have encountered PSG but they have a poor record against French opposition, winning only three of 13 previous meetings in all competitions, losing six and drawing four.

However, a better omen is that [SG have lost five of their last seven Champions League games against English opposition, with the two Manchester clubs getting the better of them in recent years.

Mbappe was on target from the penalty spot as PSG beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 last time out 

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