Ben Dawson has spoken for the first time since being put into caretaker charge of Newcastle United.
The former reserve team boss was supposed to be taking up a director of football style role with the club's Academy this month.
But in the aftermath of Rafa Benitez's departure, and Newcastle's failure to land a new manager, it will be Dawson that prepares the team for the Premier League Asia Trophy clash with Wolves.
Speaking from China, Dawson, who is working closely with former Leeds manager Neil Redfearn, said: "I’m feeling really fortunate that the club have trusted myself and Neil (Redfearn) to look after things until a new manager comes in.
"Personally, it’s a great opportunity.
"The staff have been terrific with the plan they already had in place and our job is to come in and give it a bit of a football element and try to prepare the lads as best as possible.
"It’s a great opportunity for the players to show their appreciation for the fanbase out here.
"It’s really exciting to be in China for the Premier League Asia Trophy since we’ve been asked to come in and look after the squad at this moment in time.
"Everybody has been looking forward to it and working hard.
"The staff have put a good plan in place and we are looking forward to two competitive games to get the pre-season schedule up and running."
And looking ahead to the meeting with Wolves, Dawson, speaking to NUFC TV, said: "It's a great opportunity for the players to show their appreciation for the fanbase out here.
"It will be a different culture that they are going to experience.
"We have already have seen some of them at the hotel to greet us and I'm sure they will all make the most of it.
"They (Wolves) are Premier League opposition so I'm expecting, with it being a competitive fixture, it'll have a bit more edge than the usual friendlies do at this stage.
"They will be on a real high from the momentum they gained from the end of last season.
"They are looking forward to Europa League fixtures also so I expect it will be a really tough game in difficult conditions.
"The lads are chomping at the bit to get back on the pitch and get back to their day jobs."
