Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe _(Image: PA)_
NEWCASTLE boss Eddie Howe turns 47 today - but the birthday celebrations are on hold.
Rather than spending his birthday morning opening cards and presents, Howe was first to arrive at [Newcastle United](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle)'s training ground and is happy to delay any celebrations until after Saturday's game at Crystal Palace.
But only if Newcastle win.
The head coach has been in no mood to celebrate this week on the back of the disappointing defeat to West Ham United on Monday night and now wants a reaction from his players at Selhurst Park.
"Slightly? Fully I think," said Howe, when asked whether birthday celebrations had been tempered by Monday's setback.
"It’s been a normal day for me, up early and in here preparing for the game.
"I think that I’ve learned in this job that family things always take a backseat to do the job and I’m fully focused on the game and making sure that we are as well-prepared as we can be."
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Does Howe feel his age?
"Sometimes when I wake up I feel older than 47 when I get out of bed," he laughed
"The body has taken a bit of a hammering in my life with a number of injuries over the years.
"Mentally, I feel younger than 47 but you can tell me how I look. You might say I’ve looked after myself.
"Presents wise, I haven’t had anything so it will be at a later date once the game is out of the way."