Chris Wood is anticipating a tough clash against the Saudi Arabia champions Al-Hilal tonight.
In what has been a slightly cooler day - 23 degrees - Newcastle will get a tricky examination of their fitness against the 2021 Asian Champions League winners. And Wood knows it will be a big test after a week of warm weather training.
The New Zealand striker is expected to lead the line in the absence of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. But Wood is looking forward to the occasion.
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Wood told Chronicle Live from Riyadh: "It's a different one, and it's a hard game. We had a hard game last week (v Boro in training game) and this is our second game of a mini pre-season.
"We are going to in with all our quality and try to impress and do extremely well. But it's still about trying to hit target for Bournemouth.
"It's also about trying to build the fanbase out here and build the connection with the team and culture over here. We want to grow it for seasons to come."
Young striker Dylan Stephenson, who is with the squad in Saudi Arabia, will also be eyeing a runout this evening. Stephenson has proven himself in the reserves with goals at second string level and made a senior appearance in the summer against Atalanta when he replaced Wood at St James' Park.
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