Dominic Scurr reflects on Eddie Howe's return to Newcastle United media duties ahead of the Premier League match against Ipswich Town.
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00:00Hello everyone, I'm back outside the Newcastle United Media Centre where we've been speaking to Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe.
00:08That feels great to see, great to see Eddie Howe back after a couple of weeks out with illness.
00:13He was taken to hospital with pneumonia and completely withdrew from managerial duties of Newcastle United with Jason Tindall taking charge.
00:22Completely understandable and Eddie Howe, obviously that was a big talking point of his press conference.
00:29How is he? What were the past couple of weeks like? He obviously missed three games for Newcastle as well.
00:36Jason Tindall, as I say, taking charge of those games. So, how is Eddie Howe first and foremost?
00:42Did say he's not 100%, he's still getting back, recovering, but he feels well enough to work as a manager at least.
00:50He's not running round on the training ground completely hands-on as he has been previously.
00:55Obviously, serious illness and health scare really has put things into perspective for him.
01:02Maybe a different sort of view on what really matters when you're so ingrained in your work and your football.
01:10And it was a message that is universal really, shared by Eddie Howe, where it's like a lot of men, a lot of people in general,
01:17just feel like they can maybe sleep off certain illnesses, health scares, things like that.
01:23But Eddie Howe, through intervention from the club's doctor, basically told to go to hospital, recover, get back well again.
01:33And Eddie Howe said there was actually a bit of relief in being told he had to go to hospital because he knew he wasn't right,
01:38but felt like he almost wanted to battle on through it, but it was taken out of his hands and thankfully that was the case.
01:48He said it could have been a different outcome if it wasn't, which he didn't get completely into.
01:54But obviously, it's good to see him back after what is, it's felt like a long time.
01:59And in managerial terms, it is a long time, two weeks in football is a while.
02:04But in reality, when you've been taken to hospital, two weeks away is actually quite short.
02:10So good to see Eddie Howe back and focus now switches to not only his recovery behind the scenes on the training ground,
02:18getting back up to 100%, which is what he said.
02:21But Newcastle's final five games, a huge game against Ipswich at St James' Park on Saturday,
02:27a win would take Newcastle back up to third in the table with Nottingham Forest and Man City,
02:32who sit directly above them playing in the FA Cup this weekend.
02:36Obviously, Newcastle have a game in hand on Man City and also Aston Villa below them in the table as well.
02:42So it's a chance to really solidify their place in those Champions League qualification positions
02:48heading into the final four games that will follow this game.
02:52And obviously, has some bearing at the bottom of the table as well,
02:55because Ipswich, 15 points adrift at the bottom, pretty much nailed on to go down.
03:00But Saturday could mathematically confirm that if they were to fail to pick up a win at St James' Park.
03:09Newcastle, injury-wise, Sven Botman closing in on return.
03:13Understand he is in contention to be involved.
03:16Would be surprised if he's in the starting line-up, though.
03:19Question marks over Fabian Scher's fitness as well after he was withdrawn against Aston Villa with a hamstring issue.
03:27But Eddie Howe did say Fabian Scher should be OK.
03:30Other than that, no injury concerns to report, though.
03:35Players training at the moment, you never know what's going to happen.
03:38But for all the latest on Eddie Howe, Newcastle United, looking ahead to Ipswich Town,
03:44be sure to check out the Shields Gazette.
03:47I'll be at St James' Park tomorrow to report on that game, look ahead to that game,
03:52and hopefully be discussing another Newcastle United win.
03:56So check out ShieldsGazette.com and, of course, myself at Dom Sker on X
04:00for all your latest Newcastle United updates.
04:03We'll see you next time.