Eddie Howe to return for Newcastle’s match against Ipswich following pneumonia absence

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Eddie Howe will return for Newcastle United’s Premier League clash with Ipswich Town following a three-match absence after contracting pneumonia.

The head coach had been recovering his strength at home after leaving hospital last week. But he took training on Wednesday and will be at St James’ Park on Saturday, providing a boost to the club as they look to secure a top-five finish and Champions League qualification.

There has been no confirmation yet as to whether Howe or Jason Tindall, the assistant head coach, will conduct Newcastle’s pre-match press conference on Friday, but Howe has reported no ill effects after returning to the training pitch and now feels ready to resume his duties.

Tindall and Graeme Jones, his fellow assistant head coach, have stepped up during Howe’s period of recovery. The pair oversaw the 4-1 victory over Manchester United and the 5-0 win against Crystal Palace, both on Tyneside, which extended Newcastle’s winning run to six matches across all competitions.

That duo were also in place for Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa, after Newcastle announced on Monday, April 14, that Howe had pneumonia, would miss the next two games and that “further updates will be communicated in due course”.

Tindall was asked for the latest on Howe’s condition and his potential return following the loss at Villa Park.

Tindall and Jones have overseen Newcastle’s last three matches (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“Until I’m told otherwise, then obviously that (taking charge of the team) is my duty and what I have to do,” Tindall said. “I’ve said it before, the most important thing for Ed is that he rests and he recovers. The more he does that, then the sooner he’ll be able to come and lead the team again.

“I’m not sure if there is any contact there, but as soon as there is any more news, then I’m sure the media team will update on that.” Tindall also admitted: “I certainly miss him, even more so on days like this.”

Howe was keen to return swiftly, having said last week that he required a period of rest to regather his strength following the illness.

“A huge thank you to everyone connected with Newcastle United and the wider football community for your messages and warm wishes,” Howe said, via a statement on Newcastle’s website last week. “They have meant a lot to me and my family.

“I also want to pay tribute to our incredible NHS and the hospital staff who have treated me. I’m immensely grateful for the specialist care I’m receiving and, after a period of recovery, I look forward to being back as soon as possible.”

Newcastle are fifth in the Premier League with five matches remaining.

What does Howe’s return mean for Newcastle?

Angst used to be a feature of Newcastle United’s psyche. In the bad old days — and there were quite a few of them — there was a prevailing sense that if something could go wrong, it almost certainly would.

One of the biggest tributes you can pay Eddie Howe is how this angst has been stripped away from the club. When Anthony Gordon was sent off last month, guaranteeing his suspension for the Carabao Cup final, it felt like peak Newcastle, a depressing case of “here we go again.” The team had other ideas. They got the job done.

The same applies to Howe’s absence from the touchline. Newcastle’s systems and processes are so engrained, the repetition on the training ground now so familiar, their trust and belief in each other so powerful that they barely flickered against Manchester United and Crystal Palace.

Aston Villa felt a little bit different. The team looked tired and in need of energy. Which is not to say Howe’s involvement would have automatically changed that (there have been other bad defeats this season), but he is also the leader and driver of standards, the workaholic head coach who has transformed Newcastle into trophy-winners. His kind of innovation and care can only be missed.

It is to Howe’s credit that his staff and players were robust enough to plough on without him, that supporters did not need to fret while he was away. But, in football terms, he is also the most important figure in Newcastle’s modern history. They need him fit and healthy and they need him, full stop.

(Top photo: Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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