Official Newcastle United statement confirms injury bombshell - key man out for the season

Newcastle United have confirmed Sven Botman will be sidelined for six to nine months after sustaining an ACL injury during Saturday's FA Cup exit to Manchester City.

The Dutchman previously spent three months out with a knee injury between September and December when the Magpies opted against sending him for surgery.

Since returning, Botman has appeared 16 times but will now be out for the rest of the 2022-23 campaign. And in a further blow to United, the 24-year-old won't return until September at the earliest.

A club statement read: "Newcastle United defender Sven Botman will undergo surgery next week after suffering a knee injury against Manchester City.

"Following further assessment, a scan has confirmed that he sustained an injury to his ACL during Saturday's match and he is expected to return to action within six-to-nine months. "The Dutch centre-back initially sustained a knee injury in September 2023 and elected for a non-surgical rehabilitation plan - a decision which saw him return to action in December. Everyone at Newcastle United wishes Sven a full and speedy recovery."

Botman was a key part of the defence that was the joint-best in the Premier League last season but has struggled to replicate his best form in recent months, leading to question about his fitness.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe recently said Botman needing time to get back to his best levels.

"Sven has a serious knee injury and has returned to fitness and improved with each game," said Howe after Newcastle's 4-1 defeat to Arsenal, a display labelled as Botman's worst by Alan Shearer since joining Newcastle in 2022.

"But he is still working back to his best levels. We are monitoring his knee and hope it can adapt to Premier League football. It was a significant injury.

"To play Premier League football you have to be at peak condition. He is fit to play. We are hopeful in a few weeks he will be back to his best."

Botman was rested for the trip to Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup three days' later before returning to the starting XI against Wolves, Chelsea and Man City.