Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has defended the club's decision to return to Saudi Arabia for a warm-weather training camp, saying it was made from a "purely footballing backdrop".
The Magpies will travel to Riyadh from 4-10 December during the Premier League's break for the World Cup, and will play Al-Hilal in a friendly.
A Saudi-backed takeover of the club was completed in October 2021.
The club previously travelled to Saudi Arabia in January.
"We've made a football decision. We've looked at the World Cup break, what's the best thing for the team," said Howe.
"The best thing for the team, I believe, is to take the team away like you would in pre-season, away from distractions, a chance to really train the group, enhance the team spirit with hopefully some good weather, so that's what we've done.