US woe for Toon and Wolves

NeWCASTLe UNITeD and Wolves’ pre-season plans are in disarray after an American tournament was cancelled at short notice. The Premier League clubs were due to take part in the first Ohio Cup, along with two sides from Spain — thought to be Villarreal and Valencia. Plans were at a very advanced stage, with the finishing touches being put to a tournament which would have seen two matches hosted in Cincinnati and two in Columbus. however, both english sides have been left fuming after the plug was pulled with barely any explanation. Wolves are still expecting to travel to the US but are now in talks with MLS clubs to try to arrange fixtures. Newcastle are exploring their options. A trip to the Saudi Arabia homeland of their new owners is highly unlikely, given the searing temperatures there in July, which is when the US tournament was due to take place. Although reasoning has been in short supply, there were concerns over ticket sales for the Midwest exhibition games. Cincinnati played the lead role in organising the event and is one of 23 cities bidding for 16 host slots at the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the US, Canada and Mexico. The late cancellation causes a headache for Newcastle boss eddie howe and his Wolves counterpart Bruno Lage. Both would have wanted plans finalised before they go on their summer holidays following the conclusion of the Premier League season on Sunday. In howe’s case, time spent on the training ground with his January recruits and any forthcoming summer arrivals will be key to his ambitious side’s prospects for the new season.