ANDY O'Brien is confident that Newcastle's two gruelling tours of the Far East will ensure they cope with the energy-sapping conditions in Israel's national arena tonight.

The Magpies take on Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin in the Ramat Gan Stadium looking to keep their UEFA Cup dreams alive following a 2-0 first-leg win in the North-East two weeks ago.

But as well as their spirited opponents, Newcastle's players will also have to contend with a temperature of more than 25 degrees at kick-off and a sky-high humidity level that will push their fitness levels to the limit.

Heat and humidity are hardly the ideal accompaniments to a football match, but the United squad have grown used to overcoming environmental obstacles in the past.

Their last two pre-season tours have both been to the Far East - a part of the world renowned for its difficult footballing conditions.

And, while the United board were criticised for putting profit before performance when they opted for games in Thailand and Hong Kong this summer, the benefits should be evident in Tel Aviv tonight.

"The biggest thing we'll have to contend with is the heat," said O'Brien, who has started every game since missing the opening-day draw at Middlesbrough because of an eye infection.

"It will be very hot, but the last two pre-seasons we've been to hot and humid destinations and we've experienced these conditions at their worst.

"We've learned how to pace matches in the Far East and we're expecting to do the same in Israel.

"It's important we control the tempo. Fitness wise, the first leg was played at the tempo of a Premier League game and not what we're used to playing at home in Europe.

"Sakhnin have players of a high calibre but they're also very physical - that's part and parcel of the game and it's fair to say we should be prepared for that.

"We knew it wasn't going to be the big win people predicted in the first leg because they do have internationals in the team.

"They were described as Israel's Whitley Bay at one stage, which was a bit of an insult to them."

O'Brien will be making his 28th European appearance for Newcastle tonight, a tally that takes him above Rob Lee and into seventh place on the club's all-time list.

"I've got the best job in the world," said O'Brien. "And, from my point of view, these games are a great challenge.

"You gain more experience and, having had the privilege of playing in the Champions League and UEFA Cup you want as many of these games as possible."

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