Howe hopes Jeddah trip will make Magpies more 'united'

Howe's side take on Al-Ittihad in a friendly on Friday which will round off their six-day stay in Jeddah, with the travelling players and staff set to fly back to Tyneside on Saturday.

Newcastle have trained and taken in some team-building exercises following last weekend's win over Leeds United, and head coach Howe is hopeful that the trip will have brought his charges closer together as they bid to haul themselves clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

"I think the lads are mixing really well with each other but also with the staff, and I think that was one of the big reasons for the trip if I'm honest," he said.

"I've seen a real willingness from each other to push each other, to mix in different circles and see each other maybe in a different light, doing different things. It's been a really worthwhile experience.

"I hope the players would say they've really enjoyed everything to this point, and we come back a more united group."

Newcastle face Saudi Pro League leaders in a friendly contest tonight – a game which Howe revealed would be shorter than usual, owing to the conditions.

With a considerable period between their victory at Elland Road and their next competitive outing at home to Everton on Tuesday, 8th February, Howe believes the game will help his side keep some of their sharpness ahead of their return to England.

"(It's) just to get a good feeling from the players, with the training and the work that we've done. Everything we do is prepared to try and then see the fruit of that work in matches," he said.

"We definitely don't want any injuries, and we want the players to enjoy the game. I'm not ramping up pressure on them in this match.

"It's a game that we'll play in extreme heat and (it will be) a slightly shorter match – it will be 70 minutes. I just want them to enjoy it really, and then we're ready to come back, come home and get ready for our next Premier League game."

Earlier this month, United added Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood to their squad, with both players helping the Magpies earn their first win of 2022 last week.

And ahead of the end of the January transfer window on Monday, Howe is hopeful he may be able to bring in some more new recruits to bolster his side's bid for survival.

"I've been really pleased with the two transfers we've done and I think they have had an effect on the group and the team," he added.

"But of course with a few days to go, and as I said last week, we'd love to add a couple more."

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Howe speaks to the media from Saudi Arabia