Howe hopes for Arsenal return

EDDIE HOWE is still hopeful of leading Newcastle for the first time at Arsenal on Saturday. The 43-year-old will have to return a negative test to be released from Covid-19 isolation, with symptoms traced back to at least 10 days before the game. Newcastle are preparing for assistant Jason Tindall to face the media tomorrow morning and, as it stands, he will lead the team at the Emirates — although a negative test would free Howe to travel to London. He has been isolating in his hotel room since testing positive last Friday, less than 24 hours before what should have been his first game in charge — a 3-3 draw with Brentford which saw them slip to the bottom of the table.