Steve McClaren launches bizarre defence of Newcastle's trip to Spain '“ by claiming it could 'pour down'

McClaren's side dropped back into the Premier League's relegation zone after this evening's embarrassing 5-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle are without a game for the next 18 days because of their FA Cup exit and the postponement of a home game against Manchester City at the end of the month.

And McClaren, the club's head coach, will take his players away to La Manga next week for double training sessions and a friendly against Norwegian club Lillestrom on February 20.

Asked about the trip in the post-match Press conference, McClaren said: “I don’t know why people are saying it’s a warm weather trip – it could be pouring down where we’re going. Nobody knows that.

"We wanted to refocus the boys and get them together, and get some good work in. Get some fitness work in and some organisation work in.

"We also wanted to arrange a game. We’ve tried like mad to arrange a game in this country, but we’ve been unable to do that.

"The only one we can get is foreign opposition in a foreign country. So we have to do that because I think a game is important.

"It’s a training camp, and it’s for work. I’m looking forward to that, with two sessions a day and plenty of organisation and fitness work. It’ll help us get ready for the last 12 games."

The temperature in La Manga is expected to fluctuate between 13 and 20 degrees next week.

There is also some rain forecast towards the end of the week.