Corinthian Casuals boss Matt Howard might be using next week’s trip to Brazil as a chance for his player to re-charge, but he insists it will be no holiday.

Casuals, beaten 3-0 at Guernsey on Saturday, head to south America next week to face Brazilian giants SC Corinthians Paulista on January 25 in a friendly, 100 years after a game between the two clubs was shelved due to the outbreak of World War I.

The game, to be played in the 48,000-seater Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, concludes a week-long south American tour for Casuals.

Howard, who welcomes Redhill to King George’s Field this weekend, does not fear his players are holding back in order to ensure they are fit for the trip, but he has warned them it will be no easy ride.

And he expects them to apply themselves when they take on Carshalton Athletic on January 31 after their return.

“I’m not concerned the players are perhaps thinking ahead to the tour,” he said.

“In fact, if players pull out of tackles, that’s when they’re going to get hurt and hurt big-time.

“So, I don’t think it’s even entered the player’s heads. I’ve seen no real signs that it has.

“The tour next week can be used to our advantage. We go away in what is a mid-season break and re-charge the batteries a little bit.

“I know we’ll be working like mad over there, but everyone is looking forward to it.

“And then we resume normal service. the league is the most important thing and very much our priority.”