Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has been diagnosed with pneumonia but is said to be recovering well after being taken to hospital last Friday. Since the victory over Leicester City the previous Monday, Howe has been absent from training and did not attend the triumph against Manchester United at St James' Park at the weekend. Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones have stepped in as temporary managers for the upcoming matches, starting with Crystal Palace on Wednesday followed by an away game against Aston Villa on Saturday evening. Both clubs have games before the pivotal Premier League clash at the weekend , with Villa facing PSG in the Champions League this evening and Newcastle hosting Palace on Wednesday evening. A statement from the club confirmed: "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." Howe expressed his gratitude with a heartfelt message: "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.", reports Chronicle Live . "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. Discussing the absence of Howe, assistant manager Jason Tindall, in the wake of the 4-1 triumph over Man United, said: "Obviously in a moment like that when your leader's not there, especially someone like Eddie it's tough. We've worked together for 17 years and I don't think he's ever missed more than a day or two during that time. "It's only the second ever game that I've had to step in and fill those shoes and both of them were here at Newcastle, Brentford and then again today, so that just goes to show he must have been unwell to not be able to lead the team. "But I'm super-proud and the most important thing for us today was to deliver a performance he'd be proud of, and the lads certainly did that."