How Newcastle stars proved their team spirit - with jet-skiing, a Ferrari and desert safari holiday together

DeAndre Yedlin has revealed Newcastle players were given a winter break to get away from each other... and ended up going on a sunshine holiday together.

Steve Bruce handed his squad time off believing they were “sick of the sight of me and each other”, with orders to chill out with their families.

However several players ended up in the same place soaking up sunshine in Dubai – ensuring their bid to beat Arsenal this weekend was powered by jet-ski and boating fun.

Yedlin hooked up with winger Allan Saint-Maximin to hire a boat and muck around on jet-skis.

He also hired a red Ferrari sports car.

While Florian Lejeune and Miguel Almiron also flew out together, with “a lot of the guys” heading to the emirate.

Bruce has his squad back training for Sunday's trip to Arsenal with Yedlin insisting they are ready to go on a cup run and “shoot higher” in the Premier League.

He said: “We have cleared our minds and got some sun. For me, mentally we have been at the training ground a lot in the last two months. Days when you don't have to wake up early, it was a nice break.

“But I saw Allan in Dubai and we got a little boat together and some jet-skis which was fun!

“There were a lot of the guys out there. Dubai seemed to be the best spot this time of year for some sun. I had a great time out there.

“Lejeune and Almiron went together too (and had a desert safari). We are with each other every day so when you still want to see the guys on vacation it shows the camaraderie in the group.

“This is a tight knit group. I am not surprised by the guys holidaying with each other."

Bruce's new signings are all available for the trip to North London. Valentino Lazaro is pushing Yedlin for his starting place. Nabil Bentaleb and Danny Rose are also pushing to play.

Andy Carroll, who headed for Cape Town, is still injured and not available this weekend.

Yedlin added: “We have a core still together from a few years ago. Every player who has come in has added to it. There hasn't been a player arrive who you think: This guy is not right

“New lads have been welcomed with opened arms and everyone fits in. We are built on being a tight knit group.”