Eddie Howe has revealed that work on Newcastle United's training ground is 'getting there' - and players and staff could feel the 'benefits' in the coming weeks.
Although Newcastle's owners have been looking at sites for a new training base in the long-term, the hierarchy wanted to modernise the club's current facility in Benton in the interim. Those at the top felt moved to act after recognising the training ground fell 'significantly below the Premier League and perhaps even Championship standards'.
Work started last summer - Robertson Construction were awarded the contract - and the front façade of the building is starting to take shape with new black panelling installed. Inside, the players have been making use of a number of improvements in recent weeks, including a bigger dressing room, an extended dining room and even a modern boot room, and the new-look building will soon start to open up.
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"It's getting there," Howe told reporters. "The lads have got a couple more rooms to go into. It's still quite small and there's still a lot of building work going on.
"There are certain rooms they can't go into so it certainly feels that we are very tight together. Hopefully, in a few weeks, that will change and we will feel the benefits of the work going on."
Howe has had an input on the plans in a bid to create an environment that flows better as well as incorporating new features such as hydrotherapy and plunge pools. The original building plan felt like a maze after a number of short-term additions were made over the years and players and staff regularly crossed over.
However, as obvious as it sounds, the new doctor and physio rooms will be located next to the players' area and the coaches' offices while the sports science team will be next to the existing gym. Also, the new presentation room and players' lounge will be between the dining room and the players and coaching areas.
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