Newcastle: Jason Tindall provides Eddie Howe health update as he address return timeframe | OneFootball

Newcastle have already confirmed that Howe will miss at least the next two matches

Newcastle are placing no timeframe on Eddie Howe's return to work as he battles his way back from pneumonia.

The 47-year-old Magpies head coach was taken to hospital on Friday evening after feeling unwell for several days and now faces a spell away from the club following his diagnosis.

He said: "There is no exact timeframe. That is something we will assess day by day. The only question I can answer is that he is in the best possible hands and everything will be guided by them on a day-to-day basis.

"He will only come back when he is ready to come back and it will be on the guidance of the people taking care of him."

Howe's illness has left a huge hole at St James' Park and it is testament to the teams he has built on and off the pitch that Newcastle eased to a 4-1 Premier League victory over Manchester United in his absence on Sunday to leave themselves a point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest with a game in hand.

That comes when in-form Crystal Palace visit Tyneside on Wednesday evening but Howe, who followed events from his hospital bed at the weekend, will be cast in the role of spectator once again.

Tindall, who will also take charge of Saturday's trip to Aston Villa, said: "Your health is the most important thing and that's why it's so important that when Eddie does decide to come back, he comes back and he's able to lead the team as we know he does day in, day out and he's fully recovered, and I'm sure he will do.

"He's not a silly guy, Eddie, he'll take notice of what's said to him and he'll make sure he's fully recovered when he comes back.

"And the sooner he's back, as I said before, the better for everybody but only at a time when he feels he's ready to come back and he's 100 per cent to lead the team."

Former Bournemouth team-mates Howe and Tindall have worked together for 17 years and apart from a brief stint in charge of the Cherries in his own right, the latter is happy to play the role he has for the majority of that time.

However, he is equally ready to step in for Howe for what could prove a crucial period in the club's season with seven games remaining and a top-five finish - which would secure a place at Europe's top table - well within the Magpies' grasp.

Tindall, who revealed midfielder Joe Willock is available once again after concussion, said: "Hopefully the manager will be back sooner rather than later but only at a time when he feels ready. Whenever that is, it's my duty to stand in for him."