Update: Why Eddie Howe has been absent from Newcastle preparations vs Man United as Alexander Isak update given News

Newcastle United’s preparations for Sunday’s clash with Manchester United have been disrupted this week.

Newcastle United assistant manager Jason Tindall is confident boss Eddie Howe will be on the touchline for Manchester United’s visit to St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon after battling illness this week.

Tindall hosted the Magpies’ pre-match press conference on Friday morning in Howe’s absence. He said the Magpies chief has had to spend “the last couple of days in bed”.

However, Tindall has insisted the manager’s absence has had no impact on their preparations for Sunday’s clash with United and is hopeful he will be in the dugout.

“He’s been really poorly the last couple of days in bed,” Tindall told the media on Friday morning. “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.

“I’m not expecting him not to be available for Sunday.

“If it was a game that was tomorrow, potentially, that might be different, but obviously we have got the game on Sunday and the extra day will help him and I’m sure he will be there to lead the team.”

As far as the team news is concerned, Tindall is also hopeful Newcastle may be able to rely on the services of Anthony Gordon this weekend. The winger has missed all of the Magpies’ last four matches due to a mixture of suspension and injury-related issues, last featuring for the club on March 2.

Tindall continued: “He’s had a decent week with the physios.

“He was back out on grass for a session yesterday so we’ll assess him today to see how he’s responded to that, then we’ll have to make a late call on whether he’s available for Sunday.”

Tindall is also confident striker Alexander Isak will be available after he was substituted as a precaution against Leicester City on Monday night.

“He’s trained and he feels fine,” Tindall added. “One we will assess day by day but we are hoping he is available.

“We are not really looking ahead of Man United. The main focus is Man United and that we deliver that performance. What happens after that we will assess.”

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