LONDON: Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted he does not feel “100 percent” after returning to work following his serious bout of pneumonia.
Howe went into hospital on April 11 after feeling unwell for several days and missed his side’s Premier League fixtures against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
The 47-year-old, who led Newcastle to their first major trophy in 56 years earlier this season, is not completely recovered but was keen to get back to work with the League Cup winners.
“I’m OK. I’m not 100 percent in my body, but I’d like to think I’m very close to 100 percent in my mind, which is the most important thing,” Howe told reporters on Friday.
“I tried to take a positive from every experience, I think that’s really important to try and do that, but this has been a real challenge because your health, you take for granted.
“I certainly have and when you don’t have the luxury of feeling normal, it can be very difficult.
“I certainly have been through a range of emotions, but thankfully I feel like I’m on the road to recovery, which is the most important thing and I’m delighted to be here.”
Assistant coach Jason Tindall filled in for Howe, securing comprehensive wins over United and Palace before last weekend’s 4-1 loss at Villa.
With fifth-placed Newcastle in the midst of a tense battle to qualify for the Champions League via a top five finish, Howe will be back at St. James’ Park for Saturday’s clash with lowly Ipswich.
“For those first two games, I was watching and involved. I wasn’t feeling well enough to probably enjoy the performances, but a big thank you to the players because they gave everything in those two games to get two massive wins for us,” he said.
“The staff behaved and acted absolutely brilliantly 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.”
Asked if his illness could have become life-threatening without quick action, Howe said: “I’m one of those people, probably like most men, that you sort of go through everything, you don’t necessarily offer yourself to doctors and people but think ‘I’ll be ok in a couple of days, I’ll fight through it’.
“So I was very thankful the doctor here, Paul Catterson, acted quickly because without that quick intervention it could possibly have had a different outcome.”
It will be a while before Howe feels able to join in training with his players, but he is relieved to get back to the daily routine.
“I came back in and it was normal service resumed, probably minus running around,” he said.
“A lot more reserved physically and I think I’m gonna be that way for a while, but certainly back to normal service.”
Eddie Howe ‘not 100 percent’ on Newcastle return after pneumonia
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Eddie Howe ‘not 100 percent’ on Newcastle return after pneumonia
- Newcastle boss went into hospital on April 11 after feeling unwell for several days
- He missed his side’s Premier League fixtures against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa
Sharjah Warriorz edge MI Emirates by 6 runs to seal first win of ILT20 season
- A composed 77 from Johnson Charles, backed up by a decisive all-round contribution from stand-in captain Sikander Raza, proved the difference
ABU DHABI: Sharjah Warriorz claimed their first victory of International League T20 Season 4 after edging MI Emirates by 6 runs in a tense encounter at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
A composed 77 from Johnson Charles, backed up by a decisive all-round contribution from stand-in captain Sikander Raza, proved the difference as the Warriorz successfully defended a target of 175.
Charles anchored the Warriorz innings with a measured knock off 53 balls, striking seven fours and four sixes as his side posted 174 for 3.
MI Emirates looked on course in the chase after a strong start, but timely breakthroughs in the middle overs swung momentum back towards the Warriorz, rendering Nicholas Pooran’s late assault in vain.
Chasing 175, MI Emirates were given early impetus by openers Jonny Bairstow and Muhammad Waseem. The pair raced to a 50 partnership inside the powerplay, taking their side to 54 without loss after six overs, with Waseem particularly aggressive against Maheesh Theekshana.
The turning point came in the middle overs as Raza struck twice to halt the chase.
He removed Bairstow in the eighth over before dismissing Waseem two overs later, triggering a collapse that saw MI Emirates lose wickets at regular intervals.
Matheesha Pathirana accounted for Tom Banton, before Junaid Siddique struck twice in the 15th over to remove Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd, leaving MI Emirates under mounting pressure. Despite Pooran’s valiant 48 off 35 balls, including three sixes in the final over, Siddique held his nerve to concede only 18 runs and seal a narrow victory.
Earlier, Charles set the tone after a cautious start, breaking free with a 17-run third over. Alongside Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who contributed 30, the opener ensured the Warriorz reached 48 without loss in the powerplay before accelerating through the middle overs.
Charles brought up his half-century in the 10th over as the opening pair added 112 runs, laying a strong platform. Although both fell in quick succession, Raza ensured the innings maintained momentum with 29 off 22 balls, while James Rew added a brisk 24. The Warriorz closed on 174 for 3, with Zahoor Khan bowling a tight final over.
MI Emirates skipper Pollard said: “It was a good wicket and 175 was a fair total, so I have no complaints about the score they posted. It was a game we should have finished. We’ve been the slowest side in overs seven to 15, and while this loss is disappointing, it’s not all negative. We lost by six runs, the result didn’t go our way, but we did fight back.”
Sharjah Warriorz stand-in captain Raza said that he was pleased with the clarity and courage his side showed in their innings.
“The feedback was that it was a slow surface, so trying to push for 195 and ending up with 160 could have hurt us. When the team wins, everything feels better, and in a crunch game like this, I’m glad we crossed the line,” he added.
