'The demands are high', Eddie Howe details life at Newcastle United's intense Austrian boot camp

Eddie Howe admits that Newcastle United's punishing schedule in Austria has resulted in early nights all round for his Toon players ahead of the new season.

With temperatures as high as 38 degrees the Austrian summer can be gruelling for teams that jet over to train with the majestic backdrop of the Alps for company. The heat eased off a little on match day on Friday against 1860 Munich but even watching felt draining and cans of Red Bull were distributed in the stands by staff of host club FC Pinzgau Saalfelden.

But Newcastle's players are in fine fettle in their luxury hotel situated in the Salzburg region and they've made themselves at home in Austria. The visit will culminate in a club meal at a restaurant and Howe feels that the excursion has been worthwhile.

The days of pre-season trips being boozy affairs are long gone with Coke Zero as edgy as it gets for non-playing staff. Howe feels the focus from his group of players is right.

Howe told Chronicle Live in Saalfalden: "We'll be having a team meal at the end. And we eat together at the hotel every day. The majority of the trip has been focused on work, apart from the go karting. "It's been training, double sessions, intense.

"Any down time the players have had they have wanted to go away and rest because it's been that difficult. And also you can't forget the heat here. It is really intense it wasn't so much on Friday. But when the sun shines you know it here."

After the week started with double training sessions the preparations have tapered down a little bit. The players rested up and chilled in the pool on Saturday. And another test awaits against Mainz 05 on Monday for a 4pm kick off with warm weather forecast again.

Howe added: "Now we're going into the