Newcastle can win third in the Premier League table with a victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, but they don’t have manager Eddie Hau who will be missing in their second consecutive match due to illness.
Earlier this week, Newcastle confirmed that Howe had been diagnosed with pneumonia. He was absent in the dugout of Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Man United, and like with the match against Palace, the club confirmed he will not return for his trip to Aston Villa this weekend.
Howe was a Newcastle revelation as Steve Bruce took over as manager in November 2021, and earlier this year he led them to their first silverware since 1969 when Liverpool lost 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final.
Newcastle doesn’t know when Eddie Howe will return
Newcastle does not pressure Howe to return to work anytime soon, as their number one priority is his rest and recovery. But this means there is no guarantee that he will return to the dugout by the end of the season.
Hau, who is said to be pushing Newcastle to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, has been replaced by then-Assistant Jason Tyndal, and if Sunday’s epic victory over Man United is anything, they’ll be a good move.
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle will be able to create consecutive wins without how in the dugout. If they do so, they will be in a very good position to win one of the Champions League qualifying spots next season.