Newcastle United starting XI vs Tottenham Hotspur confirms major injury news
Sven Botman makes his long-awaited Newcastle United return against Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon (kick-off 12:30pm).
The Magpies have been without the Dutchman since March because of an ACL injury. But in the last month, Botman has resumed full training and played three matches for the under-21s.
And head coach Eddie Howe has decided to recall Botman for the visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, replacing the suspended Fabian Schar to partner Dan Burn at centre-back.
Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Howe said: “You go through a process with the type of injury Sven’s had, he’s done an incredible amount of work - it’s not like he’s not had that training time with us.
“We’ve taken longer than maybe normally we would have done through respect for the injury he had to try and make sure he had the best chance of staying fit and when he comes back he’s able to hit the ground running, which is absolutely.
“So I’ve got a decision to make in terms of the team selection but if Sven is in the squad it’s because he is fit and available.”
In two changes to his starting XI, Howe has also brought in Tino Livramento ahead of Kieran Trippier at right-back.
"Yeah, I think Kieran's OK,” Howe said on Trippier. “I think it's a bit of fatigue in the last two games. I don't think there's any muscle problem there."
Newcastle United XI: Martin Dubravka, Sven Botman, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes
Substitutes: Odysseas Vlachodimos, Kieran Trippier, Harvey Barnes, William Osula, Miguel Almirón, Lloyd Kelly, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley.