Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has revealed that he is "on the road to recovery" after receiving "first class" care from the NHS during his recent illness.
The 47-year-old was diagnosed with pneumonia earlier this month after being admitted to hospital on April 11 having felt unwell for a number of days.
However, Newcastle announced on Thursday that Howe has returned to work at the club's training ground and he will lead the Magpies in Saturday's Premier League clash against Ipswich Town at St James' Park.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, exactly two weeks after being admitted to hospital, Howe said: "I'm OK. I am not 100% in my body, but 100% in my mind - well enough to face you guys today.
"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. I've been through a range of emotions.
"I feel like I'm on the road to recovery and glad to be back here. The care that I received from the NHS was first class. I came back in and normal service resumed, minus running around (and being) a lot more reserved physically."
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Howe had "zero involvement" in Newcastle's last three matches
Assistant Jason Tindall and first-team coach Graeme Jones have taken charge of Newcastle's last three Premier League games against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in Howe's absence, with the Magpies picking up six points in that time.
Discussing the work done by his backroom staff during that period, Howe said: "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.
"Jason, Graeme, 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."
Howe is now focused fully on Newcastle's quest to qualify for next season's Champions League; the Magpies currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, two points behind third-placed Manchester City who have played a game more and two points ahead of Chelsea in sixth spot.
On the battle for a top-five finish, Howe said: "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, starting with Ipswich."
"It is a massive five games for us - there is no denying that," Howe added. "We know what position we are in and what we need to do.
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"The players are focused. I have seen a good reaction from them. The next game is so important - we do not underestimate the next opponent, it is a massive game in our season.
"It is about us. We are aware of other teams, but if we don't do our job, it is irrelevant what other teams do."
Howe delivers positive Botman, Schar injury update
Ahead of this weekend's clash with Ipswich, Howe has delivered a positive update on centre-back Sven Botman, who has returned to training after undergoing a minor knee operation earlier this month.
Fabian Schar, meanwhile, was "feeling his hamstring" towards the end of Newcastle's 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend - a game in which he scored his fourth goal of the season - but Howe is hopeful that the defender will be "okay" to feature against Ipswich.
On both Botman and Schar, Howe said: "Sven has trained well this week. It's great to see him back with the group and on the grass - a really big step for him. Fabian, we hope will be okay."
Lewis Hall and Jamaal Lascelles are Newcastle's only two long-term absentees, the former of whom has been sidelined for over a year with an ACL injury and the latter is ruled out with a season-ending foot problem.
Oliver Thomas
![Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe pictured on May 22, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe pictured on May 22, 2024 [IMAGO]")
