Eddie Howe is believed to be open to arranging a friendly game during Newcastle United’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
That is according to Toon correspondent for The Athletic, Chris Waugh, with a large selection of Howe’s squad jetting off amid the international break.
Newcastle have already jetted off for a warm-weather training camp this year and it seemed to have a positive effect with Howe’s men going unbeaten in the six games following their return from Saudi Arabia.
Should Howe arrange a friendly game?
Yes
No
During their time in Saudi Arabia, the Magpies played a friendly against the local side, Al-Ittihad, in which the Toon prevailed despite Ciaran Clark being shown a red card.
And it seems Howe could still organise two friendly games before his side return to Premier League action with a possible clash against the U23s also on the cards:
“Although Newcastle are yet to organise a friendly, Howe is open to them playing a practice match in Dubai against local opposition,” Waugh wrote for The Athletic.
“In January, they faced Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, and also had a friendly involving under-23s at St James’ Park, something they could look to do upon their return to Tyneside.”
TIF Thoughts on Waugh’s comments…
There is certainly an upside of playing a game whilst over in Dubai to help keep the players match sharp ahead of their next Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
However, as seen in Saudi Arabia, there is still the chance tempers can flare in friendlies and it could be seen as an unnecessary risk to take with injuries a possibility.
Howe’s men have just nine games left of the 2021/22 campaign and with Premier League survival still the objective, should Howe be arranging a friendly game in Dubai?
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