Eddie Howe balancing work and play during Newcastle’s Dubai retreat

DUBAI: Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has revealed it’s not exactly been all work, no play while away in the UAE.

The Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex plays host to the Premier League outfit until Friday, after Howe’s players landed in Dubai last weekend.

And while Howe has put his players through their paces under the Middle Eastern sun, he has also factored in the heavy schedule Newcastle have endured in recent weeks.

“It’s gone well,” he said of the camp so far. “Early on the aim was to give the players some down-time.”

“There’s been a really intense period of games, a lot of away games as well, so we decided to give them some free time to unwind and enjoy the sun for a couple of days,” said Howe. “And then get back to work and start our preparations for our next games.”

“We are pleased with how that has gone.”

The world-renowned Dubai complex most recently welcomed Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, while the likes of Manchester United and Celtic have used it in recent years, along with sporting stars such as Olympic Team GB gold medalist Greg Rutherford and former world tennis No.1 Novak Djokovic.

Howe is no stranger to the complex, having previously visited with former club Bournemouth — and he reiterated exactly why he is a frequent flyer to the Gulf.

“We’d used the facilities a number of times historically and for me, it’s one of the best training arenas in the world,” he said.

“I think it’s first-class facilities.

“First of all, a first-class pitch, but the facilities around the pitch are second-to-none.

“The gym, we took the boys into the altitude chamber today, which they really enjoyed,” said Howe. “Swimming pool, hyperbaric chambers, cryotherapy chambers, we utilized everything we could to help the players