Eddie Howe breaks silence on Newcastle United health scare ahead of Ipswich return
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe returned to conduct his pre-match media duties ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Ipswich Town.
Newcastle host Ipswich at St James’ Park (3pm kick-off) in a match that could prove crucial at both ends of the table. A win for The Magpies would take them back up to third in the Premier League table while also relegating Ipswich in the process.
The match marks a return to the dugout for Howe after missing the last three matches after being hospitalised with pneumonia.
The Newcastle boss got out of hospital last week before returning to work on Wednesday.
Eddie Howe provides health update after NUFC return
Jason Tindall had been handling the Newcastle media duties in Howe’s absence. Understandably, Howe’s press conference was dominated by questions about his health and time away from the club.
He said: "I’m okay, I am not 100% in my body, but 100% in my mind. It's been difficult, I tried to take a positive experience from it, it has been a real challenge, your health you take for granted, I certainly did.
“Been through a range of emotions, I feel like I am on the road to recovery and glad to be back here. The care that I received from the NHS was first class.
“This was something I couldn't carry on through. So that dents you really and you feel like you're letting people down. So I had to accept that.
"Then we have to really focus on trying the small steps to get better, to get back to full health. And that's what I'm trying to do now.
"I'm one of those people, probably like most men, who sort of go through everything. You don't necessarily then offer yourself to doctors and people because you think I'll be okay in a couple of days. I'll fight through it.
"And I'm very much in the mindset that I'll go through anything until you can't. So I was very thankful that the doctor here, Paul Catterson, acted quickly. Because without that quick intervention, then possibly it could have had a different outcome.”
Howe added: “The symptoms were strange because there wasn't really any, I wouldn't say there was any massive standout symptoms and that was probably what made it difficult for me to push for help initially. I just wanted to sleep.
“I did have a fever and quite a high temperature, but you just think it's something that you'll sleep off. And it didn't really change that, but it was just a real feeling of feeling way off what I normally would be when I'm fit and healthy.
“Then of course later on, with pneumonia, other things come along and of course it's affected my chest and my ability to breathe normally, but not to any alarming state."
Tindall took charge of Newcastle’s matches against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa - with the side picking up six points and scoring 10 goals. And the contact with Howe was minimal in that time.
"I had zero involvement, you are either all in or all out, and I didn’t feel well enough to focus on the football, so I gave Jason and all the coaches the full responsibility,” Howe added.
“Jason, Graeme [Jones], Simon [Weatherstone], Stephen [Purches] and all the coaches have done a brilliant job. I was able to watch all the games, but I wasn’t fully there mentally, but I was really proud and so lifted by the performances. A big thank you to everybody and full credit to the players."
‘Normal service resumes’ for Newcastle United
On his return this week, Howe said: “I came back in and it was normal. So normal service resumes. Probably minus running around like an idiot, a lot more reserved physically.
“And I think I'm going to be that way for a while, but certainly, yeah, back to normal service. I'd like to think I'm in a much better place now.
“I have to say, I think that brings a sharper focus to what's important in your life. And then you sort of narrow down all my family and friends that looked after me in this period. Again, it just brings clarity to everything.
"The people that really care about you and will be there for you in any moment. And for all of us, I think in life, you can't take those people for granted. And you have to show your thanks and express great gratitude to the people that did look after me.
"And as I say, the staff behaved and acted absolutely brilliant. 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."
Eddie Howe looks ahead to Ipswich clash
Looking ahead to Saturday’s match against Ipswich, Howe said: “When I felt well enough, the laptop was out. And I think it was more a case of my mind and my body knew when that was.
“The laptop came out and I was watching Ipswich straight away because it's just inbuilt in me. So that was a great sign actually because it was, oh, I'm feeling better, I must be feeling better. I'm back into it. So that was a great moment for me.
“We don't underestimate any opponent. We know Ipswich will be very well organised. Kieran's done an unbelievable job there.
“Ipswich are dangerous. They've got dangerous players in their team. They've got a way of playing that if you're not quite right, you're fined to your cost.
"They've just gone to Bournemouth very recently and won the game and we know how difficult that game is."