Here’s the real reason why Eddie Howe thinks Newcastle United’s Dubai trip is worthwhile

Eddie Howe has called for his Newcastle squad to show a United front during their warm weather training camp in Dubai.

The Magpies players made their way to the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex in the aftermath of last week’s disappointing defeat to ten-man Everton.

Howe will hope the camp will have a similar impact to the one held in Saudi Arabia in January when United returned to embark on a six-game unbeaten run to ease their relegation concerns.

It is expected to be about more than just hard work on the training, with Howe keen to forge new friendships within his squad and building on the burgeoning team spirit that was shown in abundance during the recent on-field improvement.

The Magpies boss stressed the importance of showing the same “care and love” to his entire squad, which was the thinking behind the decision to take injured players like Kieran Tripper and Callum Wilson.

Howe has also included Isaac Hayden and Ciaran Clark in the party that made the trip to Dubai, despite the duo being dropped from United’s 25-man Premier League squad in January.

The former Bournemouth manager revealed his satisfaction over being able to get his players away from Tyneside and reinvigorate themselves ahead of the run-in to the end of the season.

He told NUFC TV: “It’s a way for the lads to not just work, but talk in a different environments and it does stimulate new friendships.

“I’m a firm believer in these periods you have away, new friendships can form and it can bring the group closer.

“So I think there’s natural benefits which really help the team.

“When you look at Covid, it obviously hit the country hard in many different ways.

“From a football perceptive, it encouraged separation, so training in smaller groups, changing in different areas.

“I think you lost the feeling of the team being as one and pre-season trips were rightly stopped for a long period of time.

“Now, these things are open to us again, I think team unity, everything associated with building a team spirit has to be worked on, it’s not just going to happen.

“To get the guys back together as one, even bringing the injured players, I think brining them with us is key because those players will have a key role to play in our success, whether on the pitch of off the pitch.

“It’s very important we treat everyone with the same care and love.”

Newcastle return to action on Sunday week when they visit top-four contenders Tottenham Hotspur.