Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe, 47, admitted to hospital ‘due to illness’

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Newcastle United’s head coach Eddie Howe has been admitted to hospital after feeling “unwell for a number of days”, his club have said.

In a statement confirming the 47-year-old will miss the team’s next match against Manchester United on Sunday “due to illness” after feeling unwell “for a number of days”.

“The Magpies’ head coach was admitted to hospital late on Friday evening having felt unwell for a number of days,” the statement said.

“Medical staff kept Eddie in hospital overnight for further tests, which are ongoing.

“He is conscious and talking with his family, and is continuing to receive expert medical care.

“Everyone at Newcastle United extends their best wishes to Eddie for a speedy recovery, and further updates will follow in due course.”

The club said assistant Jason Tindall and coach Graeme Jones will lead the side at St James’ Park on Sunday.

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Speaking when he stepped in to perform pre-match media duties on Friday, Tindall said: “He’s been really poorly in the last couple of days but we’ve been in daily contact.

“We’ve been speaking three or four times a day so it’s not affected any of the preparations. We’ve still got a couple of days and I’m sure he’ll be fine for the weekend.”

He then said “its not very often that’s he unable to come to work”, and that “it’s a bit different” not having Howe around the training ground.

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Howe, who has been tipped as a future England manager, ended Newcastle’s silverware drought last month, leading them to a first domestic trophy in 70 years after beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

Currently sitting fifth in the Premier League table, the Magpies still have Champions League football next season firmly in their sights.

They have won each of their last four games in all competitions, with league victories over West Ham, Brentford and Leicester either side of their Carabao Cup final success.

Newcastle beat Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford in December and will run out eight places and 15 points better off than Ruben Amorim’s men this weekend.

But they have not completed a league double over the Red Devils since the 1930-31 campaign.