Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will miss two more games after pneumonia diagnosis

Newcastle United have announced that manager Eddie Howe is recovering in hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

The English boss was admitted to hospital on Friday night after being unwell for a number of days.

He sat out Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Manchester United at St James’ Park as he watched his team on television from his hospital bed.

Jason Tindall and fellow coach Graeme Jones led the Magpies to their first league double over United since the 1930-31 season, and the duo will continue in the roles for their Premier League matches against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

It is unclear when Howe will fully recover to return to work but the Tyneside club are expected to provide further updates after Saturday’s away fixture with Villa.

In a statement issued by the club, Howe thanked Newcastle supporters and the wider football community for their messages and warm wishes.

He said: “A huge thank you to everyone connected with Newcastle United and the wider football community for your messages and warm wishes. They have meant a lot to me and my family.

“I also want to pay tribute to our incredible NHS and the hospital staff who have treated me.

“I’m immensely grateful for the specialist care I’m receiving and, after a period of recovery, I look forward to being back as soon as possible.”

Howe led Newcastle to their first domestic trophy for 70 years with an excellent 2-1 success against Liverpool in last month’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

The Magpies have also done well in the Premier League this campaign, as they are sitting in fourth place after winning 17 of their 31 matches.

They have a game in hand over teams around them, making them one of the favourites to secure a place in Europe’s elite competition next season.

Newcastle’s European ambitions recently received a huge boost as England were awarded a fifth Champions League spot following Arsenal’s 3-0 triumph over Real Madrid in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.