Rafa Benitez will take his Newcastle players to his native Spain during the impending three-week break – but insists he isn’t going to enjoy the sun.
United face a 21-day gap between Saturday’s game against Southampton and Huddersfield’s trip to St James’ Park on 31 March due to Tottenham’s involvement in the FA Cup and two rounds of international fixtures.
And Benitez has announced that Newcastle will travel to his homeland to for short training camp and a behind-closed-doors friendly, with the Magpies boss hinting that the squad will be put through their paces during the trip.
“I’m not keen to go to Spain for the sun, but 21 days is too many without a game,” Benitez told the Shields Gazzette during his pre-match press conference.
“We needed to do something, so we’ll go for four days to Spain. Not too long, no parties, but we will train and have a competitive game and then come back.
“The idea is to go next weekend, try to play a game, and then come back.”
The identity of the team Newcastle will play in Spain is currently unknown, but Royal Antwerp, whom the Magpies faced in a UEFA Cup tie in 1994, have been mooted as a possible opponent.
