Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has thanked fans for their messages of support as he continues his recovery in hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia.
Howe suddenly fell ill last Friday evening and the 47-year-old has been kept in hospital for ongoing tests and treatment in the intervening days.
It meant Howe was not on the touchline to watch over Newcastle’s rampant 4-1 win over Manchester United at St James’ Park at the weekend.
Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones led the Magpies in Howe’s absence on Tyneside and will continuing doing so for the club’s upcoming Premier League matches against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
‘A huge thank you to everyone connected with Newcastle United and the wider football community for your messages and warm wishes. They have meant a lot to me and my family,’ Howe told Newcastle’s official website.
‘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.’
What is Pneumonia?
The NHS website describes pneumonia as an ‘inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection’.
While most recover from pneumonia within two to four weeks, babies, older adults and those with heart or lung issues may require hospital care.
Symptoms of pneumonia can include:
- feeling confused
- a cough – may cough up yellow or green mucus
- shortness of breath
- high temperature
- chest pain
- aching body
- feeling very tired
- loss of appetite
- making wheezing noises when you breathe
Speaking prior to Sunday’s victory over the Red Devils, Newcastle’s assistant Tindall said everyone at the club was united in their support of Howe.
‘He was taken to hospital on Friday evening,’ Tindall told reporters.
‘Everybody wishes him the best and I’m sure he’ll be back with us again soon.’
On Howe’s involvement in Newcastle’s team selection, Tindall added: ‘I think when you’ve been ill all week it’s very difficult to have the kind of input that I’m sure he would normally have.
‘But the way we work, we know the expectations, we’ve got a fantastic group of players, and they know the demands that the manager and everybody else will put on them.
‘So it’s important that they go out and deliver the performance that the manager will be proud of.’
After the win, Tindall revealed that Howe had passed on a message to the squad congratulating them on their excellent display in his absence.
‘I’ve just seen a message from him before I came to do the press congratulating the performance from everybody and the team,’ Tindall told Sky Sports.
‘He was able to watch it and I’m sure that will have lifted his spirits.’
Sunday’s result saw Newcastle return to the top four – and Howe’s men have a game in hand over their rivals.
Victory at home to Palace on Wednesday would see the Toon leapfrog Nottingham Forest into third place, while strengthening their position for Champions League qualification.
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