Newcastle United's grand plan is still to build a brand new training centre on par with Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester.
United sources have confirmed to Chronicle Live that the plans submitted to North Tyneside Council are very much to ensure that the facilities are up to scratch in the short-term. But the long-term plans are for Amanda Staveley and co to bring one of the best training grounds in Europe to the region.
A United source said: "The plan is still to move to a new training ground moving forward."
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The club's Benton base was built in 2002 and still boasts top quality Premier League pitches which are kept in excellent condition. A synthetic pitch - of FIFA standard - was fitted at Benton back in November while Rafa Benitez had a new indoor training surface rolled out in 2018.
Since Eddie Howe has taken over he has also asked for and been granted facility improvements including new lightning and digital screens around the building which display data, training plans and statistical leaderboards. Howe said today the training ground was already "brighter and lighter" since the day he walked in.
Newcastle's planning application to the council includes a state-of-the-art kitchen would be installed 'so that fresh and nutritious meals are served'. And for outdoor areas of the training ground would be upgraded, with 'hard and soft landscapes' to be added outside.
Doctor and physio rooms, an improved war room, for tactical meetings are also on the cards. The work has already started at Benton with club staff hoping it will be ready for pre-season.
The front entrance will receive a makeover with the addition of a new glazed door. Staveley has spoken openly about plans to improve the facilities since day one of her arrival.
Possible sites for a new training ground included the Gosforth Park area but no sites have been confirmed at this stage. The reality is Newcastle were always likely to have an extended stay at Benton.
The application read: "As part of the continued efforts of NUFC to improve the facilities and environment for its players, and staff working on site, in the short term the club is looking to invest in redeveloping the current first team training ground by bringing it in line with other Premier League clubs and standards."
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