Newcastle United will jet off to Saudi Arabia for warm weather training after this weekend's trip to Leeds United.
The Magpies find themselves with an enforced break after being dumped out of the FA Cup by League One minnows Cambridge United earlier this month.
Howe's squad will venture to Jeddah for a journey that the Newcastle head coach feels will enhance unity and ensure plenty of hard work over the club's 17 day break from Premier League action.
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Howe said: "You always have to look at both sides and work out whether you think it’s a worthwhile exercise. I do.
"I think the facilities will be first class, and I think the players will be well looked after.
"In terms of Covid, everything will be very, very tight.
"We’ll try to look after everybody, do some good work, and come back here as a united squad.
"It’s a football decision.
"We’re doing it for the benefit of the players and the group in our fight to stay in the division, and that’s my only thought.
"The facilities and everything around the trip are going to be first class.
"We will train, and train hard, in preparation for our next game."
Howe does not believe that the potential PR duties will distract his squad while on the trip.
He said: "There’ll be no distraction from my side.
"It’s about the training, and making sure the players are focused on our next game. We’re just doing it in a different environment to bring the players closer together."
Newcastle are set to confirm whether they will play a friendly game during the trip.
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