Newcastle United have announced that manager Eddie Howe has returned to work following a recovery period in hospital.
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.
Ten days after stating that 'further updates will be communicated in due course', the Magpies have now confirmed that Howe has been discharged from hospital and has returned to work at the club's training ground.
A brief statement read on the club's official website read: "Newcastle United are delighted to confirm that Eddie Howe has returned to his duties at the club's Training Centre.
"Eddie had recently been hospitalised with pneumonia and has now returned to work after a period of recovery. We thank supporters for their warm wishes."
It remains to be seen exactly when Howe will return to the dugout, but the fact that he is now back at the training ground suggests that he could be available to return for Saturday's Premier League home clash with Ipswich Town.
© Imago
Howe to step back in for Newcastle's Champions League push
Assistant Jason Tindall and first-team coach Graeme Jones have taken charge of Newcastle's last three Premier League games in Howe's absence and the Magpies have picked up six points in that time.
Just two days after Howe was admitted to hospital, Newcastle eased to a deserved 4-1 victory over Manchester United at St James' Park, before putting Crystal Palace to the sword 5-0 in impressive fashion on home soil.
However, Newcastle were beaten 4-1 away against fellow top-five hopefuls Aston Villa last weekend and Howe's side still have work to do to secure Champions League football for next season.
Newcastle currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, just two points behind third-placed Manchester City who have played a game more and two points ahead of Chelsea in sixth spot.
Howe is expected to be available to address the media at a pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's encounter with Ipswich.
Newcastle will then conclude their campaign with fixtures against Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton.
Oliver Thomas
