Newcastle United have confirmed that new head coach Eddie Howe will miss tomorrow’s clash with Brentford after testing positive for Covid-19 during a routine test on Friday.
The club state that he will now self-isolate, in line with government guidance, meaning he’ll have to sit out both tomorrow’s game and next week’s trip to Arsenal due to the 10-day isolation rules. You couldn’t make it up.
As a result, assistant head coaches Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones will take charge in Howe’s absence, although the 43-year-old has insisted that he will be in ‘constant communication’ with his coaching team and players in the lead up to both games.
Here’s what he’s had to say in reaction to testing positive (via NUFC.co.uk):
“I’m very disappointed that I won’t be there with you all at St. James’ Park tomorrow, but it is incredibly important that I follow the guidelines and self-isolate.
“I’d like to reassure everyone that I feel fine, and while this is unwelcome news for me, I know it hasn’t derailed our preparations for what is an important game.
“I have been, and will be, in constant communication with my coaching team and the players, both tomorrow and during the week, and I know they will be giving everything on and off the pitch.”
Gutted.
Saying that, no one will be more disappointed than Howe after spending the past 10 days preparing meticulously for our upcoming games.
Let’s hope he makes a full recovery and the players step up in his absence to deliver our first win of the season!
