'Magpies' in Kildare hotel for pre-season training camp

Photo: Keith Downie / Sky Sports News

The plush facility will be home to the Toon squad for the rest of the week as preparations for United’s return to the Premier League continue.

A training marquee has been erected on the side of the main pitch along with two inflatable ice baths.

Last year Newcastle also opted for the north Kildare base - which has also been used in the past by Real Madrid, the British Lions and Irish Lions and AC Milan.

Manager Rafael Benitez told the Chronicle Live this week: “I’m really pleased to be back.

“It’s a nice place and the weather is sunny and when you have the right conditions for training as a manager everything is OK.

“We have the gym and pitches.

“We have plenty of time here so everything is good.”

One of his main aims from the trip is togetherness, he said: “I think it’s important for team spirit to have everybody together for a while.

“They can play games and watch TV together.

“They can use the PlayStation after training and they have some activities like last year.

“I think it’s important for them to spend more time together. The facilities are very good.”