Newcastle United player ruled out for eight weeks spotted in Dubai after ‘minor’ surgery

Another frustrating season has seen the Dutchman make just three Premier League appearances. It has been almost two years since Botman was a regular in Eddie Howe’s starting line-up due to a string of knee injuries.

The 25-year-old opted against surgery in September 2023 - a move that backfired as he sat out for three months before eventually going under the knife. That recovery took almost a year before Botman returned in January.

NewcastleWorld broke the news in March that Botman suffered another setback - this time on his opposite knee - and was a major doubt for the Carabao Cup final. This was later confirmed by Eddie Howe, who set an eight-week timeline for the injury.

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A quick check of the calendar set that date to the first week of May - with four games left to secure Champions League football. The feeling inside Benton is that Botman could feature before the summer break to cap off a frustrating season on a high.

The centre-back has now posted photos on his Instagram being put through the ringer in Dubai. Nas Al Sheba Sports Complex, where Botman is staying, is a five-star sporting facility that includes two FIFA-standard football pitches.

Manchester United and Arsenal have been known to undertake mid-season training camps at the complex. Elite-level athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Phelps and Novak Djokovic have used the centre for rehabilitation, so be best assured that Botman is in capable hands.

Eagle-eyes Newcastle fans on social media would have also noticed Botman’s girlfriend, Chana Kesselaar, enjoying time in the Middle East. The couple enjoyed a stroll along the beach and, at one point, admiring the Persian Gulf.

Eddie Howe honest on Sven Botman injury timeline for Newcastle United

Howe told reporters last week that Botman underwent minor surgery to remove “floating bone” in his knee. The defender is on track for a full return before the end of the season.

“Yeah, Sven's not too bad,” Howe said. “He's had an operation, a very minor operation, just to clean out a floating bone that was in his knee that was causing him the problem.

"I think the initial diagnosis was between six to eight weeks, but I think it's already got through two or three of those. So he's on the road, he's feeling good, fingers crossed we see him probably in May sometime."

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