Newcastle United fresh injury hint after 11-week blow & Aston Villa concern

Newcastle United defender Sven Botman is closing in on a return from injury and could be involved against Ipswich Town on Saturday.

There were fears the Dutchman’s season could be over after it was decided he required surgery on a knee issue that has kept him sidelined since the 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final second leg win over Arsenal on February 5.

An initial assessment determined Botman’s injury to be minor but around a month later went under the knife. The 25-year-old was given an eight-week recovery time but is “ahead of schedule” according to assistant coach Jason Tindall.

Sven Botman: When Newcastle United defender could return

Botman spent a week at the NAS Sports Complex in Dubai earlier this month and has been “back on the grass” at Newcastle’s Benton training ground. After 11 weeks out in total, there’s a chance the centre-back could return to the squad against Ipswich this weekend.

Speaking ahead of the 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday, Tindall said: “Certainly not this weekend. It's too soon for him this weekend.

“But, as I said, he's ahead of schedule. He's on the grass now. He's joining in some parts of training. So maybe next weekend, possibly, he could be involved or could be there for selection. But again, that will be assessed over the coming days. But we're certainly really, really pleased with his progress.”

Botman has since teased his return on Instagram after uploading a photo of him in action with two sand timer emojis.

Fabian Schar latest after Newcastle United defender forced off at Aston Villa

Newcastle will hope Botman’s return isn’t met with the loss of Fabian Schar after the former Switzerland international was withdrawn in the closing stages at Villa Park with a hamstring complaint.

The 33-year-old has missed just four Premier League games this campaign, though three of those have been through suspension.

Tindall said: “Fabby was feeling his hamstring in the game so I felt it was the wise move to bring him off and to try and protect him, to make sure that hopefully he's OK for the remaining games.

Both Schar and Botman will hope to play a part in Newcastle’s Premier League run-in. Five games of the campaign remain and Howe’s side are firmly in the race for Champions League qualification.

After losing to Aston Villa 4-1, they have dropped to fourth in the Premier League table, though are still two points above the chasing pack. After Ipswich, the Magpies play home games against Chelsea and Everton and away matches at Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal.

Newcastle are already without two defenders in Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Hall for the rest of the campaign.

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