Newcastle United return to action this evening for the first time since Chelsea were put to the sword at St James’ Park last month. An unprecedented winter World Cup halted the Premier League season just as Eddie Howe and Co were clicking into gear.
Sitting third in the table, the Magpies’ challenge is to pick up where they left off in the second half of the campaign. Two tune-up games against foreign opposition will prepare Newcastle for their competitive comeback against Bournemouth on December 21.
The first of those sees Howe’s men take on Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. While the North East deals with near-freezing temperatures and potential snow, United are sunning it up in the Middle East.
