Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe feels their trip to Saudi Arabia has been a good morale booster.
Howe's side take on Al-Ittihad in a friendly on Friday which will round off their six-day stay in Jeddah, with the travelling players and staff set to fly back to Tyneside on Saturday.
"I think the lads are mixing really well with each other but also with the staff, and I think that was one of the big reasons for the trip if I'm honest," he said.
"I've seen a real willingness from each other to push each other, to mix in different circles and see each other maybe in a different light, doing different things. It's been a really worthwhile experience.
"I hope the players would say they've really enjoyed everything to this point, and we come back a more united group."
And ahead of the end of the January transfer window on Monday, Howe is hopeful he may be able to bring in some more new recruits to bolster his side's bid for survival.
"I've been really pleased with the two transfers we've done and I think they have had an effect on the group and the team," he added.
"But of course with a few days to go, and as I said last week, we'd love to add a couple more."
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