Newcastle United handed major boost v Manchester United as key man spotted back in training

Jordan Cronin
By Jordan Cronin
Published 28th Mar 2023, 17:40 BST
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Eddie Howe has been handed a selection boost ahead of Newcastle United v Manchester United on Sunday.

Sven Botman has returned to Newcastle United training ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester United (kick-off 4:30pm).

Botman has been out of action since Thursday after picking up a “virus infection” on Netherlands international duty along with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, plus Joey Veerman, Bart Verbruggen and Matthijs de Ligt.

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The players are understood to have been suffering from food poisoning and as a result missed Holland’s opening Euro 2024 qualifier defeat to France on Friday.

Newcastle United's Dutch defender Sven Botman runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on March 17, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Newcastle United's Dutch defender Sven Botman runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on March 17, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
Newcastle United's Dutch defender Sven Botman runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on March 17, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Gakpo, de Ligt and Verbruggen were all able to return to the camp for yesterday’s 3-0 win over Gibraltar, however Botman and Veerman stayed at home - forcing the Magpies defender to miss out on a first senior cap.

Botman, however, looks set to recover in time for the visit of Man United this weekend after being snapped in the club’s training gallery on Tuesday evening.

The 23-year-old, who joined from Lille last summer for £35million, has played in 32 of United’s 34 matches this term - forming a strong centre-back partnership with Fabian Schar.

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Also back at Benton was Kieran Trippier. The right-back had been on international duty with England, although played just nine minutes in total - a late substitute appearance in the 2-1 win in Italy on Thursday.

Alexander Isak, who played in both of Sweden matches against Belgium and Azerbaijan, is expected to return in the coming days.

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