Dubai sunshine break can rejuvenate Newcastle, says captain Jamaal Lascelles

DUBAI: Skipper Jamaal Lascelles believes the Dubai sun — and the hard work that goes on under it — can spark Newcastle United back into life in the Premier League run-in.

Two 1-0 defeats for Eddie Howe’s men at Chelsea and Everton brought to an end a remarkable top-flight unbeaten run that stretched over nine games, and back to mid-December.

With nine games of the Premier League season remaining, the Magpies have managed to haul themselves nine points clear of the bottom three, having occupied a place in it for much of the campaign to date.

And while Lascelles admits results have turned sour, he says that has not had an impact on confidence within the group, which will only be strengthened further on the training pitches of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex this week.

“It would have been better coming here on the back of two wins — but that’s football,” said the Magpies’ club captain.

“We put on a fantastic run, but we still have a lot of hard work to do.

“Unfortunately our last couple didn’t go to plan but this trip has come at the right time. We want to get some hard work done and then we can have a strong push to the end of the season.

Lascelles continued: “We have some real tough games coming up. We were full of confidence then lost the last two. But our performance at Chelsea, and a bad decision by the referee, but you know we still have that confidence and we will hit form when we come back.”

Head coach Eddie Howe has reiterated the importance of the Dubai trip for team morale and bonding, as well as the positives training and recovery in a world-class facility can bring.

Lascelles seconds that message, believing the squad is making up for lost time having been under strict regulations during a