Rafa Benitez admits that Newcastle United's trip to China this summer is not ideal in terms of pre-season preparation.
United's last visit to the Far East back in 2003 was quickly followed by a devastating Champions League exit against Partizan Belgrade in a qualifier as they lost a penalty shoot-out.
Back then Toon players were left feeling jaded after a long and gruelling pre-season schedule.
Newcastle also made a spluttering start to their Premier League campaign and took until October to win their first game.
Benitez is looking to take measures to avoid a similar scenario with their stay in China restricted to just seven days and the main bulk of fitness work to take place at Benton rather than the usual procedure in Ireland.
Friendly games will also be tailored to build up to the challenge of the Premier League Trophy games with lower league opponents being lined up before the trip to China.
Benitez told the Chronicle: "In terms of the trip, commercially and financially it could be fine.
"But in terms of football it is not ideal.
"We prefer to stay close and not travel too far away.
"We do have experience in China and in Asia in general and know what we have to do to maximise the time we're there."
Benitez has bags of experience with long haul trips after similar jaunts with Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Newcastle's last global trek, to the States in 2015, did not bode well for Steve McClaren as travelling time restricted his training schedule and United made a poor start to the season, also taking until October to win their first match.
Benitez said: "We will try to do something here and then go there.
"We'll look to make sure we can compete and use the games to improve the match fitness."
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