Newcastle have announced that new manager Eddie Howe will be absent for Saturday's Premier League match with Brentford at St James Park after testing positive for Covid-19.
It was set to be Howe’s first game on the sideline having replaced Steve Bruce on Tyneside earlier this month.
Howe said in a statement on Newcastle's official website on Friday evening: "I'm very disappointed that I won't be there with you all at St James' Park tomorrow, but it is incredibly important that I follow the guidelines and self-isolate.
"I'd like to reassure everyone that I feel fine, and while this is unwelcome news for me, I know it hasn't derailed our preparations for what is an important game.
"I have been, and will be, in constant communication with my coaching team and the players, both tomorrow and during the week, and I know they will be giving everything on and off the pitch."
Assistant head coaches Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones will lead the team in Howe's absence, the club said.
