Eddie Howe hints at Newcastle United pre-season return after shock news changed plans

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe believes the disappointment of the US summer tour cancellation has in many ways worked in the Magpies’ favour.

And Howe has revealed he would consider a return to the club’s Austrian summer base for future pre-season tours.

“There are different positives to both,” Howe said of Saalfelden, which was drafted in as a late replacement following the collapse of the Ohio Cup.

“The travelling distance is high (US) and there are benefits to that as there are many places you can go, but there is also negatives. This trip has had no negatives. The facilities have been first class. The hotel is excellent, the food has been unbelievable.

“The pitches have been OK, probably the only thing. They suffer from torrential rains here, although you wouldn’t know it now.

“Lots to do - and that’s been the good thing for the players, they have lots of sporting activities, biking, go-karting, lots of things you can do in the mountains.

“I have to say, I’d certainly come here again as I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.”

United played two games while out in Central Europe, beating 1860 Munich 3-0 before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Mainz 05.

When asked how productive the trip proved, ahead of jetting out to Portugal today, Howe said: “It's been good. We have covered a lot of work. A lot of key points that we feel we need to improve. That's a forever thing you are working on - all phases of the game, in possession, out of possession and set plays.

“Players are working to a point of fatigue so in the matches, as I said the other day, probably not looking as sharp as we maybe want to but that's because of the workload behind them.”