Newcastle United Announces Warm-Weather Training Camp in Saudi Arabia

Newcastle United's non-international players, led by manager Eddie Howe and his coaching staff, will head to Saudi Arabia next week for a training camp at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. This trip aims to strengthen the club's ties with the country that is home to their majority owners, the Saudi Public Investment Fund. While senior players, including Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, and Joelinton, are included, several key players like Alexander Isak will not participate due to international duties. Plans for a brief break following a match against Nottingham Forest were delayed, reflecting an understanding that mid-season trips to Saudi Arabia will continue to be a regular occurrence. The club had previously planned for a January trip, but changes to the Premier League's winter break made this impossible. In addition to the training camp, discussions are ongoing regarding contract renewals for players Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth, with a deal for Sean Longstaff expected to be extended next month. Notably, the club's management seems open to welcoming back former player and manager Kevin Keegan, contributing to a potentially vibrant atmosphere at future matches. In preparation for their upcoming match against Nottingham Forest, one player, Jacob Murphy, is set to return. However, teammates Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson remain sidelined until after the international break. The upcoming camp and contract talks reflect Newcastle's ambitions to solidify both team performance and long-term planning.