Medical insider issues ‘unprecedented’ claim after Newcastle United latest
A training camp in their owners’ homeland will help Newcastle United adapt to the challenges of the unprecedented mid-season World Cup.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
Saudi-owned Newcastle spent the 2021-22 winter break in Jeddah in January, after which their season improved dramatically.
Per the Daily Mail last Sunday (4 September), top-flight sides are drawing up plans for warm-weather training camps for players not selected for the World Cup in Qatar.
The league pauses at the end of November and resumes on Boxing Day.
Dinnery claims that a trip to Saudi could keep those players not involved in the World Cup ticking over before the second half of the campaign.
“It’s tried and tested for Newcastle in particular,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“In the second half of the season, they pushed on really well. It’s a good team bonding exercise and an excuse to get away from the British weather.
“We expect it to be pretty cold, dark, dank and wet in November and December. Who wouldn’t benefit from a bit of sun on their backs?
“But this is unprecedented in terms when we have a World Cup. How players adapt and manage their loads between the end of November and Boxing Day is going to be difficult.
“They need to maintain a level of fitness so they are ready for the second half of the season when games will be coming thick and fast.
“It’s not just about seeing through the congested festive programme but also seeing through to the end of the season. It’s going to be difficult in terms of player management.
“That will be the case not only for the players who are playing in the tournament but also those who are on the peripherals of their international squads.
“Because they aren’t getting any minutes, they could come back slightly deconditioned in relation to the rest of their squads. It’s all about integrating those players and knowing when to throw them back in.”
In other news, ex-Fifa official issues “horrendous” claim as Joe Willock probe launched at Newcastle United.