Newcastle United injury blow as £32m defender now major doubt for Carabao Cup final
Newcastle United are preparing for the prospect of being WITHOUT Sven Botman in next week’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, NewcastleWorld can reveal.
Newcastle United are reeling after losing Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall in recent days. A moment of madness saw Gordon lash out at Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke during the 2-1 FA Cup defeat - with referee Anthony Taylor sending him off.
Toon chiefs decided against appealing his three-match ban before being rocked by another setback. Hall picked up a perceived knock in the 2-0 loss to Liverpool but further tests showed a fractured foot.
A club statement confirmed Hall - arguably Newcastle’s most improved player this season - will not feature again in 2024-25. Eddie Howe must begin preparations for life without Botman at Wembley as his injury woes continue.
Botman watched on for nine months in 2024 as he recovered from ACL surgery. The Dutchman returned in December but he has not played since the second-leg triumph over Arsenal five games ago.
Howe revealed to reporters that Botman had taken a knock to his knee, albeit opposite to the one which required surgery last year. Initially not thought to be serious, it is understood his latest setback may rule him out of the Carabao Cup final.
Botman has not, as some on social media have suggested, broken his foot. His absence is a result of the knee issue that has sidelined him since February 5.
Howe disclosed after the Brighton match that Botman was “close” to returning and “hoped” he could play against West Ham United or Liverpool. However, NewcastleWorld now understand there is a strong chance he may not make the final - a major blow to United’s hopes of ending a 70-year wait without domestic silverware.