ALAN Pardew has revealed Newcastle United turned down the chance of money-spinning tours of China and Thailand to make sure they get a flying start to the season.

Newcastle head to the USA next month for games against Sporting Club Kansas, Orlando City and Columbus Crew – with Pardew earmarking the tour as a chance for long-term absentees Hatem Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling to make their returns.

The United chief is also hoping to bed in several new faces, with Yohan Cabaye potentially joined by Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro – whom Newcastle still have a good chance of signing.

Whatever the personnel, Pardew believes the “first class” facilities on offer in the States will give his side the perfect chance to hone their pre-season preparations.

Better, at least, than if they had jetted off to the Far East, where there were offers for them to play provincial sides in China.

“(America) was my idea,” Pardew said. “From the conversations I’ve had with other managers, I’ve come to the conclusion that touring the Far East isn’t ideal. We had a couple of offers to go out there, and they were lucrative deals. But they would have been beset with problems in terms of communication, facilities, travelling and food. While some of the distances are quite long in America, we know the training environment is going to be first class.

“The food and facilities will be absolutely top-drawer. It will be the best place for us. I wanted to take the players to somewhere that would give them a bit of a buzz, and I think America will do that.

“It should also be a great trip for our supporters as well. I’m sure we’ll have lots of people who will be looking at their holidays and thinking it will be nice to catch us in Orlando or Columbus.”