Albion are not the only Premier League strugglers hoping a training camp in the sunshine can work wonders.

Newcastle put their costumary early FA Cup exit to good use and got away to near Alicante in Spain.

But the mission facing them when they get back just sums up the ultra-competitive nature of the survival battle – above Huddersfield and Fulham – this season.

Newcastle would be in the relegation zone now without the three points gained by beating mighty Manchester City recently.

Now they are a home win over Huddersfield away from moving up to four points clear of the drop zone.

That game comes around on Saturday and could see Toon overhaul Albion in the table.

Newcastle see that fixture and the visit from Burnley which follows on Tuesday as a great chance to ease relegation fears.

They would hope, maybe expect, to be more or less safe by the time they visit the Amex for their 36th fixture.

Newcastle discussions tend to be dominated by talk of unpopular owner Mike Ashley, wily old boss Rafa Benitez and lack of squad strengthening.

To that end, the break in Spain has allowed overdue star signing Miguel Almiron, a goal-maker from MLS who cost a record £20 million, to bed in and he is expected to start for the first time against the Terriers.

That could be timely. Newcastle are well-organised defensively but only Huddersfield have fewer than their 22 league goals and only Albion and Burnley have had fewer scoring attempts.

“We will create chances and score goals,” Benítez said this week.

“What we have to do, though, is keep the balance we have in defence and attack.

“That is the key if we are going to get the points we need.”

Don’t read too much into the fact Newcastle are 18th in the Premier League in terms of points gained at home.

They had a wretched start, compounded when Beram Kayal flicked home Jose Izquierdo’s shot in October.

Their four home successes have all come in the eight fixtures since losing 1-0 to Albion that day.

Newcastle have 13 points from their last eight home fixtures and have won the last two, against Guardiola’s City and Cardiff.

As well as Huddersfield, they have yet to host Crystal Palace and Southampton.

https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/17441800.the-fight-for-premier-league-survival-part-1-southampton/

Newcastle’s last away game is at Fulham, who could be down by then.

Of course, Newcastle have a knack of making life difficult for themselves.

Witness the soft goal conceded deep into added time at Wolves, costing them what would have been a deserved away win, before they headed off to the sunshine.

Having come tenth last season on their return to the top tier, their fans might be wondering why (or, more likely, have strong ideas as to why) this season has been so tough.

https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/17443886.the-fight-for-premier-league-survival-part-2-cardiff/

Memories have been jogged over the last few days of how Newcastle secured that top-half spot on the back of a good run immediately after their warm weather training camp.

Actually, their return home this season followed by two winnable home games has echoes of Albion a year ago, when they took just one point from home dates with Leicester and Huddersfield.

A sunshine break does not guarantee against relegation chills.

But Newcastle have a great chance to open some breathing space.

FIXTURES

Home: Huddersfield, Burnley, Everton, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Liverpool.

Away: West Ham, Bournemouth, Leicester. Albion, Fulham.

Form: A mixed bag. Two wins from last nine games – but have won their last two at home.

The good news: A big signing at last in Miguel Almiron.

The bad news: A lack of goals. Only Huddersfield have scored fewer.

Key player: Toon’s lack of goals means Slovak goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, so impressive until recently, has been in the spotlight for a couple of errors. They will need him to recapture top form.

Current position: 16th.

Predicted finish: 15th.