Eddie Howe admits that Newcastle United's punishing schedule in Austria has resulted in early nights all round for his Toon players ahead of the new season.
With temperatures as high as 38 degrees the Austrian summer can be gruelling for teams that jet over to train with the majestic backdrop of the Alps for company. The heat eased off a little on match day on Friday against 1860 Munich but even watching felt draining and cans of Red Bull were distributed in the stands by staff of host club FC Pinzgau Saalfelden.
But Newcastle's players are in fine fettle in their luxury hotel situated in the Salzburg region and they've made themselves at home in Austria. The visit will culminate in a club meal at a restaurant and Howe feels that the excursion has been worthwhile.
READ MORE: Bruno Guimaraes discusses Champions League, World Cup and his best position
The days of pre-season trips being boozy affairs are long gone with Coke Zero as edgy as it gets for non-playing staff. Howe feels the focus from his group of players is right.
Howe told Chronicle Live in Saalfalden: "We'll be having a team meal at the end. And we eat together at the hotel every day. The majority of the trip has been focused on work, apart from the go karting. "It's been training, double sessions, intense.
"Any down time the players have had they have wanted to go away and rest because it's been that difficult. And also you can't forget the heat here. It is really intense it wasn't so much on Friday. But when the sun shines you know it here."
After the week started with double training sessions the preparations have tapered down a little bit. The players rested up and chilled in the pool on Saturday. And another test awaits against Mainz 05 on Monday for a 4pm kick off with warm weather forecast again.
Howe added: "Now we're going into the games, the training schedule lessens and it's maybe a chance to do more team bonding. We're planning to eat together at a different venue and there's a couple of team building activities on the horizon as well."
The days of pre-season trips being boozy affairs appear to be over. Back in 2007 when Newcastle visited Austria under Sam Allardyce, the coaching staff ran up a huge bar bill which irked Mike Ashley, while the backroom team dined away from the hotel and left players to their own devices.
A keen eye is kept on the food consumption of players with Howe banning a range of items when he was appointed last November - including biscuits. But he is delighted with the catering on offer this summer.
Howe added: "Yeah and I have to say there's been no complaints on that. I have to compliment not just the hotel staff but our staff too, the food has been incredible at the hotel.
"The chefs have been incredible and the food has been amazing. Although I am trying to control how much the staff eat rather than the players!"
Players know they need to look after themselves if they are to survive at Newcastle moving forward. The club can afford to replace them these days but Howe is content with them in pre-season.
Howe said: "The lads have to be very disciplined with what they're doing. This is the time of year when if you aren't resting properly between sessions you will notice it.
"The demands that we're expecting are high. The way we are training we'd never train like this normally. The duration and the intensity means we are going into games tired. We are playing fatigued and you could see the consequences of that in the first half."
READ NEXT
Bruno and Botman arrivals make key difference in win
Eddie Howe verdict on 'fatigued' Newcastle United as Magpies tested by 1860 Munich
Newcastle United leaving no transfer stone unturned as Leeds United star and Serie A ace linked
Newcastle United add 18-year-old youth star to squad in Austria
Javier Manquillo attracts interest from Spain but could fight for his place at Newcastle United
