Jason Tindall has thanked Newcastle United supporters on behalf of Eddie Howe in his programme notes before the Crystal Palace match.
Before the Manchester United game, Newcastle confirmed that their head coach would be absent while recovering in hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia. The club also acknowledged that Howe would not lead the team in this week's fixtures against Aston Villa or Palace.
Assistant coaches Graeme Jones and Tindall will continue to take charge, as they did at Old Trafford. There is no timeframe for his return, with no guarantees that Howe will return to work again this season.
Tindall's programme notes
The club published Tindall's matchday programme notes earlier on Wednesday afternoon. He wrote: "First of all, on behalf of Eddie Howe and his family, I want to pass on a huge thank you for all of your messages of support following Eddie's illness.
"While I don't have an update as such, Eddie has been in great hands and the most important thing is that he comes back when he is feeling 100 per cent ready. In our 17 years of working together, we've only ever been apart on a matchday on two occasions, and both have come during our time here.
"The first was our first home match against Brentford in 2021, when Ed, unfortunately, tested positive for Covid-19. The second was Sunday's win against Manchester United.
"When someone you know so well isn't there, you miss them, and we all missed Eddie's presence as our manager and leader as we prepared for the game and at the stadium. But we all know the expectations and demands on us, and the players have applied themselves as professionally as they always do.
"I have to give the players and staff a lot of credit. Everyone has pulled together and I thought the players did exactly what we wanted them to on Sunday – they delivered a performance and result that Eddie was proud of."
Tindall concluded his programme notes by adding: "We know the levels we will need to reach tonight and across each of our last seven matches of the season, and our aim is clear – to deliver another performance and result that Eddie and all of you can be proud of."
Newcastle's latest statement
The club released the following statement on Monday. "Newcastle United can announce that Eddie Howe is recovering in hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia.
"The club continues to extend its best wishes and support to Eddie and his family as he continues his recovery. Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones will lead the team against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa this week, with further updates to be communicated in due course.
A message from Howe was also released by the club, which read: "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."