It was a slightly different press conference at the club’s training base this morning, as Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall spoke to the media in place of an ill Eddie Howe.

The boss has been “bed-ridden” and has been “really, really poorly” in the last few days, seeing other members of the coaching team take training over since our 3-0 win over Leicester.

Before discussing Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak’s fitness, Tindall offered an update on Howe’s condition and the likelihood he makes Sunday’s game against Man Utd.

Tindall on Howe

Eddie Howe has been bed-bound and too ill to take training over the past few days – but Jason Tindall is expecting him to be in the dugout on Sunday.

Tindall said: “He’s been really ill and has been in bed the last few days. We hope he will be OK for Sunday. 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. 

“It’s not very often that Eddie is not able to come to work. It is a bit different, and it has only been a couple of days. But we have a fantastic bunch of lads and they know what they have to deliver.”

“I am not expecting him not to be available, if the game was tomorrow then maybe (he’d miss it), but with the game on Sunday he should be OK.”

Gordon, Isak and Willock latest

As we know, Anthony Gordon’s heavy bruising kept him out of Monday’s win at Leicester, while Alexander Isak has been managing a slight groin issue over the past few weeks.

However, there was a positive update on both this morning, as Tindall revealed that Gordon has had a “good week with physios” and was “back on grass for pitch session yesterday.”

A late call will be made on his fitness ahead of Sunday’s game, while Isak has trained this week with no issues and will be fine to face Man Utd.

One player who won’t, however, is Joe Willock, as concussion protocols mean the midfielder will sit this one out.