Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has returned to work after recovering from pneumonia, providing a timely boost ahead of the Premier League clash with Ipswich Town.
The 47-year-old was hospitalised earlier this month after falling ill, forcing him to miss three matches while he recovered. His assistants Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones took charge during that period.
Howe resumed his duties at the club’s training ground this week and is expected to be on the touchline at St James’ Park on Saturday. Newcastle confirmed his return in a brief statement earlier today.
“Eddie had recently been hospitalised with pneumonia and has now returned to work after a period of recovery,” it read. “We thank supporters for their warm wishes.”
Tindall and Jones oversaw back-to-back home wins over Manchester United and Crystal Palace before Newcastle were defeated 4-1 at Aston Villa last weekend.
Despite that loss, Newcastle remain fifth in the table with five matches left to play.
They are firmly in the race for Champions League qualification, sitting just ahead of Chelsea and Villa with a game in hand over the latter.
A win over struggling Ipswich would temporarily move them above Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, who are in FA Cup action this weekend.
Howe’s return is a welcome development for the club at a critical stage of the season.
Although Tindall stepped in capably, Howe’s influence is widely credited with raising Newcastle’s standards and transforming them into a top-five side.
There has been no official confirmation yet on whether Howe or Tindall will handle Friday’s press conference duties.
However, the manager is understood to have experienced no setbacks after returning to the training ground.
Newcastle host Ipswich on Saturday afternoon before trips to Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal, and home fixtures against Chelsea and Everton to round off the campaign.
