Eddie Howe is "managing the confidence" of his buzzing Newcastle United players and making sure complacency doesn't set in as he looks for the Magpies to continue where they left off when competitive action resumes this month.

Newcastle flew out to Saudi on Sunday for their week-long training camp, which includes a friendly against Al Hilal on Thursday evening, 5pm UK time.

The Magpies' previous visit to Saudi at the start of this year was identified by Howe as pivotal as it kick-started a nine-game unbeaten run that set Newcastle on their way to securing Premier League safety.

Howe is hoping this trip will prove just as successful, though this time Newcastle will return looking to stay in the conversation at the top of the Premier League rather than battling to survive at the bottom.

Howe's side signed off for the break with a win over Chelsea and will be third at Christmas, United hugely impressive so far this season, only losing one league game.

That has obviously sent confidence in the camp soaring, something Howe is closely monitoring.

He said: "There's a really good feel in the group, there's a lot of confidence. We have to manage that and make sure it doesn't spill into a negative so we hit the ground running when we come back."

Outlining his hopes for the Saudi trip, Howe told NUFC TV: "We'll be training hard. We're trying to improve the team, we want to come back a better team for this experience. Hopefully we can keep everyone fit and play well in the competitive game, and hopefully we go back an even more united group.

"Reflecting back (on the January trip) it was very important, it brought the group closer together and enhanced our team spirit. I don't think you ever know it in the moment, you hope it's had a big effect on the team and in time it showed it did, hopefully it will do the same this time."

Howe says Newcastle's impressive start doesn't change his approach.

He said: "It doesn't change it from my perspective. We want to come out and train very well, to improve the team. The league position goes out the window, it's more just about continuous improvement."

Newcastle's players were given a fortnight off after the Chelsea game, crucial for a "mental refresh" says the head coach. A behind closed doors friendly game with Middlesbrough took place last week, with the Magpies hosting Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, December 17 before returning to competitive action against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup the following week.

Howe said: "After that game (Chelsea) we had two weeks off, the players went their own way and enjoyed some family time, they were free to do as they pleased. At this stage with the schedule coming up, that was vital, that the players had the mental refresh.

"We had a training game against Middlesbrough which was a really good test. We were really pleased about that."

Alexander Isak travelled with the squad to Saudi but is not yet back in full training with the group.

Howe said: "Alex hasn't been with us long and this is his first time to really bond with the squad, we're delighted with how his rehab is going."

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