Eddie Howe ‘not 100%’ but delighted to be back for Newcastle

Eddie Howe says his recent illness has been ‘difficult’ but he is delighted to be back to lead Newcastle United against Ipswich on Saturday.

Howe, 47, was hospitalised with pneumonia and has missed the Magpies’ last three games.

Assistant Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones took charge of wins over Manchester United and Crystal Palace and a defeat to Aston Villa last time out.

But Howe is back and said: “I’m OK. I’m not 100% in my body but I’d like to think I’m very close to 100% in my mind, which is the most important thing.

Eddie Howe on the run-in:

“I see it being very tight and possibly going to the end of the season for the top five places. I think we have put ourselves in a very strong position. We go into a five-game league now where we have some tough games, but we’ll have to be at our best,… pic.twitter.com/xEkwPi9Toq

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 25, 2025

“It has been a difficult last few weeks. I try to take a positive from every experience, I think that’s really important, but this has been a real challenge because your health you take for granted – I certainly have.

“When you don’t have the luxury of feeling normal it can be very difficult, so I have certainly been through a range of emotions. Thankfully, I feel like I’m on the road to recovery, which is the most important thing.

“I am delighted to be here. The staff behaved and acted absolutely brilliantly so a real tribute to them and now I’m back I hope I can add something to the group as we go into the last five games.”

Howe says he made the decision once he became ill to totally step away from his role and not stay in contact with Tindall and his staff.

He said: “I made zero contact. I made a conscious decision when I didn’t feel well enough to focus on the football to give Jason and all the coaches the full responsibility because for me, you’re either all in or all out and I couldn’t contribute.

“The care I received from the NHS was absolutely first-class. I can’t thank them enough, they were absolutely brilliant, the care and the love I felt from them.

“And, of course, the well wishes and text messages I received from everybody. I‘ve tried to get round to reply to everybody, it does take a while!

“I really do appreciate it and I’m very thankful.”

The race for the Champions League is heating up! 🍿

The gap between third and seventh place is the lowest at this stage in Premier League history! 😮‍💨🔥

Who do you think will qualify? 👀 pic.twitter.com/WyIk69IhwQ

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 24, 2025

Newcastle go into the weekend in fifth place – which would secure a Champions League place for next season.

After they play Ipswich they have games against Brighton, Chelsea, Arsenal an Everton remaining.