RAFAEL BENITEZ is hoping Newcastle United’s warm-weather camp in Spain next week will have the same positive benefits as last season’s trip to his homeland.

Newcastle’s first-team squad will travel to Spain in the immediate aftermath of Monday’s Premier League game at Wolves, filling a window has been created by the Magpies’ early exit from the FA Cup. Benitez’s players will take part in two training sessions a day, and will also play in a friendly against Russian side CSKA Moscow.

Last season, a similar break was the precursor to a run of three successive victories that helped propel Newcastle into the top half of the table, and Benitez is hoping for a similar impact this time around.

Benitez said: “We will try to do it. When you have so many days (without a game) and have new players coming, it is important for people to get to know each other better.

“We won’t be going there on holiday, it will be double training sessions and a chance for people to get to know each other really well. The game will give the payers a chance to see how the hard work translates to a game. I think it will be a positive experience.”

Before leaving for Spain, Benitez will take his team to Molineux to take on a Wolves side that have recorded a series of impressive results since claiming the Championship title last season.

Benitez said: “I think they are doing well, they have a good manager and very good players. They have spent more than £100m so it is not the same as when you have a newly promoted team like maybe Huddersfield.

“They have champions of Europe in their team – they have a very good team and very good payers.”