EXCLUSIVENEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL: Eddie Howe's squad will use home of Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi training camp, club open to bringing back Kevin Keegan after 16 years away and two stars enter contract talks
- Newcastle will hold a warm-weather training camp in Saudi Arabia next week
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Newcastle will travel to Saudi Arabia next week for a warm-weather training camp at the home of Cristiano Ronaldo, Confidential can exclusively reveal.
The non-international players, led by Eddie Howe and his staff, will train at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh during a trip that will strengthen links between the club and the country of their majority owners, the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
With temperatures in the high 20s and staff always impressed by the facilities during previous visits, it is seen as a chance to enjoy a change of scenery and a few days of sunshine.
This time, we understand they will train at the home stadium of Al Nassr, the PIF-owned club where Ronaldo and Sadio Mane currently play. However, Newcastle will not be playing a friendly match at the 25,000-seater venue during their stay.
The group who travels will include senior stars such as Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Joelinton, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Harvey Barnes.
Newcastle will train at Cristiano Ronaldo's home ground when they travel to Saudi Arabia
Eddie Howe is taking his Newcastle squad for a warm-weather training camp next week
Plans to give the players a short break after Sunday’s game at Nottingham Forest have been delayed, but there is understanding that ties with Saudi mean mid-season trips to the country are always on the agenda.
Newcastle Confidential reported last month that a January excursion was not possible this season because the Premier League has removed the staggered winter break, and that is why next week’s visit has been arranged, even though big names such as Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon will be away on international duty.
Invitation to the King
Newcastle are open to inviting Kevin Keegan to next month’s home game with Liverpool when Wor Flags plan a special tribute to the club legend.
So far, since the Saudi takeover, Keegan has politely declined such offers to return to St James’ Park. He has not attended a game since he left as manager under Mike Ashley in 2008.
It is thought Keegan was at first reluctant to attach himself to the new ownership, but he is also a huge admirer of Eddie Howe and does not want to infringe on the head coach’s domain. He has said he will return when the club wins a trophy.
However, Howe would likely welcome Keegan with open arms, especially given the atmosphere it would generate inside the stadium were the former player and manager to parade on the pitch in the moments before kick-off. He would also be guaranteed a rousing reception by all inside the ground, given his success as a player with Liverpool.
My sources say it is unlikely but, over to you, King Kev!
Newcastle could invite Kevin Keegan to a match next month, 16 years after the club legend left St James' Park following his second spell as manager
One down, two to follow?
Club chiefs have opened early contract talks with the representatives of Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth, while Sean Longstaff’s deal will be extended next month.
Confidential understands the option to lengthen Longstaff’s contact to the summer of 2026 can be activated in December, and the club will make this move.
It prevents the academy graduate from walking away for free next summer, but his future remains uncertain. The club must decide whether to reward Longstaff with a longer-term deal or look to sell him at some point next year, be that January or the summer window.
However, the midfielder’s return to the side in recent matches has underlined his value, with his energy and tactical understanding key during victories over Chelsea and Arsenal in the space of four days.
Meanwhile, Schar, 32, and Krafth, 30, are out of contract in June. Despite their age, there is a feeling that both defenders still have plenty to give and discussions have now begun over extending their deals. The pair, who are neighbours, are happy on Tyneside and are popular with supporters, staff and team-mates.
Newcastle are looking to tie down centre back Fabian Schar to a new contract
The Magpies are also keen to keep versatile defender Emil Krafth at the club
Eddie's Murphy boost
Jacob Murphy will return to the squad for Sunday’s game at Nottingham Forest - but Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson will be kept back until after the international break.
Confidential understands the visit of West Ham on November 28 is the target for Trippier and Wilson. Both have spent time in the Middle East as part of their rehab in recent weeks, Trippier at the NAS Sports Complex in Dubai and Wilson at the Aspire Academy in Doha.
Trippier will step up his comeback from a hamstring layoff during the international break, while Wilson is on track to shake the fitness concerns that have kept him out since the summer.
Meanwhile, Murphy has been spotted back on the grass at Benton this week and we understand the winger has overcome the hamstring issue that has seen him miss the last two games.
Jacob Murphy has returned to training this week and should be back in the squad for Newcastle's trip to Nottingham Forest
Cup ban blow
One to note that has been lost amid the euphoria of last week’s Carabao Cup win over Chelsea and a favourable quarter-final draw at home to Brentford - but Sean Longstaff is suspended for that tie.
He picked up his second yellow card of the competition against the Blues and will miss the visit of the Bees on December 18.
Meanwhile, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Joelinton are one booking away from a one-game ban in the Premier League.
Sean Longstaff will miss Newcastle's Carabao Cup quarter-final due to suspension
And the wait goes on...
Two recurring themes in this column - coin-toss watch and second-half arrival times.
On the former, Bruno Guimaraes lost the toss for the fifth time at home in the Premier League this season, meaning Newcastle were turned around by the opposition and made to shoot uphill towards the Leazes End in the second half. They prefer to kick downhill towards the Gallowgate End, traditionally.
However, it did them no harm, a 1-0 win over Arsenal last weekend played out to the backdrop of a raucous St James’.
I was also keen to note the Gunners returning to the pitch after half-time some two minutes before Newcastle. Since flagging this trick last month - when Brighton infuriated Newcastle staff by making them wait three minutes - the Magpies have turned the tables on Chelsea and Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta was asked afterwards if he had sent his players out early given their poor first-half performance. He looked bemused and said they had simply left the dressing-room at the correct time.
So, it would appear Newcastle are employing the dark arts again! Indeed, when Arsenal’s players gathered in a huddle during their wait, you wondered if it was more a means of keeping warm!
Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes has lost five coin tosses at St James' Park this season
Arsenal's players were made to wait on Saturday as Newcastle took their time emerging for the second half
Jenas back after sack
Jermaine Jenas was back at St James’ Park for the first time last weekend since being sacked by the BBC, working for Malaysian TV during Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Arsenal.
The former midfielder was spotted chatting with old team-mates Shola Amoebi and Nobby Solano pre-match, before taking his seat in the press box alongside ex-Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers. The pair were on punditry duty for Astro, the broadcaster who hold Premier League rights in Malaysia.
The BBC reported that Jenas was dismissed because of his ‘workplace conduct’ in August after messages were sent to a female colleague.
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Jermaine Jenas worked for Malaysian TV at St James' Park on Saturday after his BBC sacking
Toon Teaser...
It’s Toon Teaser time. Last week’s puzzler was… can you name the FIVE players to have played for Newcastle and Arsenal since 1992. The answers were; Sol Campbell, Mathieu Debuchy, Mikel Merino, Joe Willock and Isaac Hayden.
This week’s question is… can you name the NINETEEN players to have played for Newcastle and Nottingham Forest since 1992? I struggled with this one… and there are three of them which, while not impossible, I just could not get.
