Magpies hope to reign in Spain

NEWCASTLE United boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed his side will travel to Spain next week for a mid-season tour.

The Magpies are set to fly out to the Costa Blanca and will play a friendly game – the opponents believed to be Royal Antwerp – on the four-day trip.

Benitez had ruled out the possibility of a sunshine break earlier in the campaign but a 21-day fixture gap has meant Benitez needs minutes in the legs of his players.

Newcastle’s gap in the fixture list has been caused by the postponement of next weekend’s trip to Wembley to face Tottenham Hotspur.

The Toon boss said: “We have been thinking about going to find some sun because 21 days is too many days without football.

“We will go for four days to Spain. It is not too long, no parties or anything and total focus. We will play a competitive game next week and then we come back.”

Benitez’s side must first face Southampton at St James’ Park and, looking ahead to the game, the manager said: “Every game is important for us.

“This is the most important because it is the next one.

“Until the end we must keep going. I hope we win but until the last one that is what we will do.

“Every game is a final. We have a lot of games to play. The target is 40 points.”