Newcastle have confirmed that the squad will return to Saudi Arabia for a warm-weather training camp from 4th-10th December, with the squad also set to play a friendly out in Riyadh during the World Cup break.
Eddie Howe’s Mags will take on Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal on Thursday 8th December, giving those who aren’t representing their country in Qatar the chance to maintain some much-needed match sharpness.
With such a prolonged break and very few of our players heading to the tournament – only Trippier, Pope, Guimaraes and Schar, as things stand – Howe will be very keen to maintain our fitness levels ahead of our first game back at Leicester City on December 26th.
This is not the first time Howe and his squad will have visited Saudi Arabia – back in January the team took on Al-Ittihad during a mid-season warm weather training break. Here’s what Howe’s had to say on the confirmed winter camp:
“The break for the World Cup gives us the opportunity for a mini pre-season ahead of a crucial part of the season, and I’m pleased to have finalised our plans.
“Our trip to Jeddah in January was pivotal for us last season. It galvanised the group, and the hard work the players put in was rewarded in performances and results on our return.
“We will have access to world-class facilities as refurbishments at our own training ground continue, and we look forward to facing Al-Hilal and playing in front of our growing numbers of supporters in the region.”
The Riyadh-based club feature some former Premier League and European stars such as Matheus Pereira (formerly of West Brom) Odion Ighalo (formerly of Watford and Man United) and Moussa Marega (formerly of Porto).
It had been heavily rumoured that Newcastle would travel to Saudi Arabia for another training camp in the winter months so it’s no surprise that a fixture has now been announced; which will hopefully be streamed live on NUFC TV.
