'Nine months' - Newcastle United star drops ACL injury bombshell

Newcastle United defender Sven Botman has revealed he played on for two games before realising he'd torn his ACL ligaments.

The Dutchman first picked up his knee injury during the 1-0 win at home to Brentford on September 16 but went on to feature against AC Milan and Sheffield United. Botman helped keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw at the San Siro before scoring his first Newcastle goal in the 8-0 victory over Sheff United.

The 23-year-old ended up spending three months on the sidelines before making his comeback as a substitute against Fulham last month. He has since started against Chelsea, Nottingham Forest & Liverpool, and played 54 minutes at Luton Town.

When asked about Botman's absence, United boss Eddie Howe often remained tight-tipped. But in a sitdown interview with Sky Sports News' Keith Downie, the player himself has explained the severity of the injury.

“I did my knee against Brentford but then played two games after that (without realising)," said Botman. "It blew up the day after Sheff United game & the scan showed some big damage in my knee.

“Some people (specialists) said it was a total rupture, others said that it wasn’t. So I’ve done everything to rest & avoid surgery. The operation would’ve kept me out for nine months but I’m back & feeling like my old self again — so it seems like I made the right choice.”

Botman is yet to taste victory since returning from injury, although he did find the net in the 4-2 defeat at Liverpool on New Year's Day.

“He's a very, very popular member of the dressing room, popular in terms of personality, but also as a player," Howe said previously. "The lads love him on the pitch. He's had a really difficult injury, it's not been clear-cut for him.

"We're really hopeful he can stay fit now, He's back, he's a key part of our plans."