Newcastle WILL travel to Saudi Arabia for a training camp - but boss Eddie Howe still doesn't know if they will meet crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman after Amnesty International said the trip would just be a 'PR opportunity' for the club's new owners

• e-mail

Eddie Howe says Newcastle United's decision to take a controversial mid-season break in Saudi Arabia will not be a distraction amid their fight for Premier League survival.

As revealed by Sportsmail last week, the squad will fly to Jeddah on Sunday for a warm-weather training camp during which they will also play a game, although media are not allowed.

The trip marks the team's first visit to the Gulf kingdom since they were taken over by the country's Public Investment Fund in October. Co-owner Amanda Staveley - who we understand will travel with the squad - had to convince the Premier League that the club would not be controlled by the Saudi state and that PIF was a separate entity.

Eddie Howe has confirmed that his Newcastle squad will travel to Saudi Arabia at the weekend

Newcastle will head to Saudi Arabia for the first time this month since their £305m takeover

However, Amnesty International fear the visit will turn into 'another PR opportunity for the Saudi authorities who are trying to sportswash their appalling human rights record'.

Howe was unable to confirm if he and his players will meet officials such as Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and PIF governor and Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan. He would also not be drawn on concerns surrounding Saudi's human rights, saying the trip was a 'football decision'.

But it does mean that Staveley, Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall - who have been heavily involved in recruitment this month - will spend the final week of the transfer window 4,000 miles away and three hours ahead of the UK.

The head coach admits he and the hierarchy have endured a 'frustrating' and 'fruitless' week with regards attempts to bring in signings such as Manchester United's Jesse Lingard and Sevilla defender Diego Carlos.

Newcastle have won just once in 20 matches this season and are 19th in the table ahead of Saturday's trip to Leeds.

PIF governor and Magpies chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan (centre left) could meet the team

It is not known if Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, will meet the team 

Howe, though, believes the Saudi break is a good idea, despite the attention it will attract.

'I think it's a worthwhile exercise. The facilities will be first-class and we'll be well looked after,' he said. 'It's a football decision. We are doing it for the benefit of the players in our fight to stay in the division, that's my only thought.

'There will be no distraction from my side. It's about making sure the players are focused on the next game.'

Newcastle's players were told last week that they would be going to Saudi during their 17-day gap between matches. It is thought the destination was suggested at the invite of the owners.

When pressed on Saudi's human-rights record Howe insisted the trip was a 'football decision'

Howe was always keen to use this period to take his squad away, and says he is not worried about the effects of a 10-hour flight.

'I think the travel is manageable, the distances aren't too far,' he said. 'We have quite a big gap before our next game.

'In terms of Covid, everything will be very tight. We will try to look after everybody, do some good work and come back a united squad.

'I think it's important that we encourage that unity, going away is a great idea. It'll be a work training camp. I think it's vitally important that people know we're going to be very active.'