Newcastle defender Clark PUNCHES opponent in Saudi Arabia friendly

Newcastle United's trip to Saudi Arabia ended on a shameful note when Ciaran Clark was sent off for punching an opponent during a friendly match.

In front of watching Saudi dignitaries - as well as Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Neil Crompton - the defender was red-carded after striking Al-Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, who also dismissed following a tangle.

The incident is unlikely to have gone down well with head coach Eddie Howe, who earlier spoke of the success of the week-long training camp.

Newcastle won 2-1 at the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah thanks to goals from Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser, but Clark lashing out at a local player was not the impression they wanted to leave.

Speaking earlier from the team hotel, Howe had said he was sure that the ‘huge ambition’ of the Saudi owners would become reality after meeting chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and members of the Public Investment Fund.

Little has been heard from the Saudi contingent - who own an 80-per-cent stake - since completion of the takeover in October.

But Al-Rumayyan this week addressed Howe, co-owner Amanda Staveley and the squad during a social occasion as part of their stay in the country.

‘There is huge ambition at the club,’ said Howe, whose January spending is set to top £70million with the arrival of Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon.

‘Through time, those (ambitions) will become reality, I’m sure - in terms of everything that is in the eyes and minds of the people around the club.

‘But the reality now is to get the best out of the team in the short-term, the long-term will take care of itself. I have to be careful that my mindset is day-to-day, minute-to-minute.’

Howe was referring to the fact his team remains one point from