Stoke City in Dubai: All you need to know

Sport360 staff 15:38 17/02/2017
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  • Stoke are the latest EPL team in the UAE.

    Potters boss Mark Hughes was spotted by Sport360 at Jebel Ali Shooting Club on Friday lunchtime checking out the venue’s first-class JA Centre of Excellence football facility, which his team will be using during their visit.

    On a rare day of strong winds, rain and low temperatures in Dubai, Hughes looked at the condition of the pitches as the squad get set to train at the venue on Saturday morning for the first time.

    Stoke will then depart the UAE on Wednesday (February 22nd).

    Here’s everything you need to know about their trip to the Middle East:

    When did Stoke arrive in Dubai?

    The first-team squad jetted out of London Heathrow on Thursday (February 16th), arriving in Dubai later on the same day.

    Where are Stoke staying?

    It is thought the Premier League club are staying at nearby JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel, which is situated inside the 5-star JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort, and only a short drive from the club’s training base. Jebel Ali is around 15km from the iconic Dubai Marina skyline.

    Why are Stoke in Dubai?

    Stoke’s next fixture is a trip to Tottenham in the Premier League on February 26th and the club have taken advantage of the gap in their fixture list to train and recover in a warmer climate.

    Who to look out for in Dubai?

    Hughes has brought a full squad to Dubai, with Egyptian star Ramadan Sobhi a big draw in this part of the world with a legion of Arabic fans behind him.

    Why Dubai?

    This is the club’s fourth visit to the Middle East and short breaks in the region have clearly benefited Stoke in recent seasons as the Potters have cemented themselves as top 10 outfit in English football.

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