The Eddie Howe 'surprise' - Journalist reveals full story on two-week break and return

After a few mixed days in terms of results, the news of Eddie Howe's impending return to the dugout at St James' Park has been met with immense joy by the Toon Army.

Having been hospitalised and diagnosed with pneumonia, the gaffer looks to have made a strong recovery and will lead the side for our next Premier League game against Ipswich Town.

Here's how it all unfolded for Howe over the two and a half weeks leading up to his return.

Early signs of illness before Man Utd clash

Coming courtesy of The Telegraph's Luke Edwards, a rough timeline of events have been revealed concerning Howe's wellbeing and eventual recovery.

Just prior to the Manchester United game on the 13th of April, Howe had told his staff he thought he would be fine for the game and was just enduring a bout of the flu, before his condition drastically changed,

Edwards writes "His condition deteriorated rapidly as the weekend approached and he was told he had to go to hospital on the Friday by Newcastle’s club doctor."

"Confined to his bed, with a fever and a sore chest, he was diagnosed with pneumonia by doctors that weekend."

Road to recovery

Missing for three big games in such a crucial race for European football, Howe was in his hospital bed whilst Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones led the side in the 47-year-old's absence.

Later discharged from hospital, it would still be some time before the gaffer would be ready and healthy to coach again.

Being allowed to recover from the comfort of his own home, however, Howe gradually increased his contact with his staff in preparation for his return.

"He wanted to be back to lead the team"

Howe wasn't to be kept away from the touchline for much longer, as he worked to be there for this weekend's big game against Kieran McKenna's Ipswich.

"Howe continued his recovery at home, but his contact with coaching staff steadily increased this week and he made it clear he wanted to be back to lead the team in time for the Ipswich game."

It's a testament to the man and his character than even with all his recent health complications, the drive and desire to coach his team remained Howe's top priority.

Upon his return to Benton training complex just yesterday, Howe left a number of staff members ‘surprised’, as they did not expect him to return so soon.

But on the precipice of creating more history with Newcastle United, Howe insisted he'd been away long enough, and he and his team would be all together for the run-in.

Having now taken a first team training session, it's currently unclear as to who out of Howe and Tindall will lead Friday's pre-match press conference.

Saturday afternoon at St James' Park could be one of our loudest crowds of the season. It's a big few weeks ahead, and there's no time like now for the players, staff, club and fans to be truly United.