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Lee Ryder

Toon chief open to global invites in 2020 - and winter break could see Steve Bruce's squad jet out for warm weather training

Newcastle United managing director Lee Charnley has revealed the club's hunger to spread their global brand even further following a successful trip to China this summer.

The Magpies banked around £1million from a commercial point of view after participating in the Premier League's Asia Trophy in Nanjing and Shanghai.

Further invites from Australia, the United States and the Far East are believed to be coming United's way in 2020.

When asked about further global opportunities, Charnley told the Sunday Sun: "We have been pushing the Premier League for a while to get an invite to the Asia

"We are delighted we got it and I think it was incredibly positive.

"Steve (Bruce) getting out there was absolutely crucial too, particularly to have that time with the players.

"It was away from Newcastle and he was able to have two or three days to get to know the players and set out his standards and expectations.

"Ben Dawson and Neil Redfearn did a fantastic job but there was a difference from when Steve walked in the door."

Newcastle United players Ki Sung-yueng, Jonjo Shelvey and Freddie Woodman with Nanjing schoolchildren at a Premier League skills event on Tuesday, July 16,2019 (Lee Ryder)

Fans in China were able to meet their heroes at events in both venues in July and Charnley is open to similar ideas again.

He added: "Providing it makes financial sense - yes.

"For us there has to be the balance about accepting that there can be disruption to the pre-season programme because of the travelling, time difference etc.

"If we were told we'd go there and make £100,000 my answer would be no.

"It was the Premier League's event so it was very prestigious and beneficial financially but also from a brand building/awareness perspective."

(Pascu Mendez)

Newcastle have also spent time in Spain in the last two years for mid-season training camps.

With United's coffers boosted after China, another warm weather winter trip could be on the cards.

The introduction of a winter break in the Premier League in February could also offer a gap in the schedule for Steve Bruce's squad.

Charnley said: "If Steve wanted to take the players away this winter we'd definitely support that - 100%."

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