‘It’s a shame’ - Eddie Howe reacts to Newcastle United summer blow as alternatives are explored

Eddie Howe has expressed his disappointment after Newcastle United’s pre-season tour of the US was cancelled last minute.

The Magpies were due to fly out to America in July to take part in the Ohio Cup along with Wolverhampton Wanderers, plus La Liga outfits Villarreal and Valencia.

No definitive explanation has been given for why the tournament, where games were scheduled to be held, Cincinnati and Columbus, will no longer go ahead.

This has left United and Howe, who’d planned out the summer meticulously, with a real conundrum just a few days away from the end of the season.

“Our pre-season is without a tour at the moment but we plan on adding one to the schedule,” Howe told reporters.

“We’re going through various options to try and find the right place to go with everything we want in that 7-10 days. We’re trying to figure out what to do next.

“It’s a shame, (I’m) very disappointed with the tour being cancelled as it’s been in the pipeline for a long, long time.

It’s a huge disappointment to see that cancelled last minute.”

A trip a little closer to home is much more likely this summer, with Newcastle exploring alternatives, as confirmed by Howe.

It’s understood whatever happens, United have a number of high-quality friendlies lined up, as Howe eyes a testing summer, rather than one in cruise control.

While a trip to the Middle East, where United spent two spells earlier this year, is possible again in 2022, it’s unlikely that will happen in pre-season.

Searing temperatures in that part of the world in summer months is likely to put an end to any planning in that direction.