'My goal' - Newcastle United star reacts after being ruled out for months

Botman played an hour for Newcastle United’s under-21s on Monday night as they beat Chelsea 3-2 at Whitley Park. It was the Dutchman’s first appearance since undergoing ACL surgery nine months ago.

The 24-year-old partnered Charlie McArthur in central defence and kept a clean sheet during his time on the pitch, though he admits that was nothing more than a bonus.

“If there is a clean sheet then I am always pleased but it was more about myself, the injury and everything went well,” said Botman. “A good night.

“It is just about getting the feeling of matchday again and getting the sharpness. It is all about the games and the actions.”

Botman was cheered on by several of his teammates with the likes of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Sean Longstaff, Lewis Hall and Jamaal Lascelles, who too is recovering from an ACL injury. Head coach Eddie Howe and his backroom team were also presence.

After Botman was replaced by Cathal Hefferan, he headed straight into the stand to see them. He said: “It is always nice to see them around, I didn’t know they were coming. It’s been a long few months so.”

Botman’s last senior appearance came in March when United lost 2-0 to Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Reflecting on the mental side of his recovery, the former Ajax man said: “You have some good periods and some bad ones and at the end you come through it. It has been a long period but I just want to look at the future now, I don’t want to look back.

“Quite. First of all you try to handle yourself without football because football has been your whole life basically so to have a life without out is quite hard.

“But on the other side you have a different side as well. I had my baby so it was good to spend more time with family and that.”

Howe revealed last week Botman is due back “late December or early January”. Newcastle have Aston Villa and Manchester United during the final week of the month before visiting Tottenham Hotspur on January 4.

Botman added: “I’ve been training for a while now, this was actually the last phase of my rehab. I’m looking forward to the moment back at St James’ Park with the first-team, that’s my goal.”