Newcastle trio Jamaal Lascelles, Dwight Gayle and Fabian Schar are pictured dancing with locals in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert as Eddie Howe's players let their hair down on winter training camp 

• Newcastle flew to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for a warm-weather training camp 
• The Magpies will play a friendly against Al-Ittihad before returning to the UK 
• Jamaal Lascelles, Dwight Gayle and Fabian Schar were seen dancing with locals 
• Toon boss Eddie Howe believes the training trip will be good for the team's unity 

Newcastle trio Jamaal Lascelles, Dwight Gayle and Fabian Schar were spotted dancing with locals during their Saudi Arabia winter training camp. 

The Magpies jetted off to Jeddah for a warm-weather training camp during which they will also play a friendly against Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad on Friday before returning to the UK.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe stressed that the trip was a 'work training camp' but it appears the players have found time to let their hair down too. 

A video emerged on social media on Wednesday showing centre backs Lascelles and Schar and striker Gayle dancing with the locals in the Saudi desert. 

The trio put on a show for their team-mates as they danced round with sticks in a circle while other locals sing and and beat drums from the side. 

The rest of the travelling Newcastle squad can be seen sat down in the back ground enjoying the display. 

Lascelles was forced off during Newcastle's 1-0 win over Leeds at Elland Road last Saturday with a suspected hamstring injury but the defender appeared to be in high spirits in Saudi Arabia. 

The winter training camp marked the team's first visit to the Gulf kingdom since they were taken over by the country's Public Investment Fund in October but it has caused some controversy.

Co-owner Amanda Staveley had to convince the Premier League that the club would not be controlled by the Saudi state and that PIF was a separate entity.  

But Amnesty International fear the visit will turn into 'another PR opportunity for the Saudi authorities who are trying to sportswash their appalling human rights record'.

Howe, though, believes the Saudi break is a good idea, despite the attention it will attract.

'I think it's a worthwhile exercise. The facilities will be first-class and we'll be well looked after,' he said. 'It's a football decision. We are doing it for the benefit of the players in our fight to stay in the division, that's my only thought.

'There will be no distraction from my side. It's about making sure the players are focused on the next game.'

'I think it's important that we encourage that unity, going away is a great idea,' he added.

'It'll be a work training camp. I think it's vitally important that people know we're going to be very active.'