£35m Newcastle United star ruled out until 2025 amid training ground photo

Newcastle United have been without Botman and fellow centre-back Jamaal Lascelles since March after they both suffered an ACL injury.

The Dutchman’s 2023-24 campaign was blighted by not just one but two serious knee injuries. Botman sustained a partial ACL tear in September but opted against surgery so he could resume playing in December. However, the former Lille man, who joined in 2022 for £35million, struggled to hit top form, which eventually resulted in an operation three months later.

Lascelles, meanwhile, sustained his problem in the opening stages of the Magpies’ 4-3 win over West Ham United. Both players were given a recovery time of six to nine months, though look set to return slightly behind schedule.

“They're on different spells of their recovery,” said Howe. “Jamaal will be some time after Sven.

“Sven is making good progress and we hope that he can begin light training with us within the next few weeks but there's still a jump from training to playing so we still need to be patient with him again.

Watch Geordie Journos on ShotsTV! Are Newcastle United ‘back’ after three straight wins?

“If we see him before the end of the year that would be a bonus but we're probably looking at more January for him.”

Botman’s activity on social media had raised hopes among supporters that he’d be back sooner rather than later.

Even on Friday, not long after Howe provided an update, the 24-year-old took to Instagram to post an image of himself at the training ground along with the caption: "First training today, great feeling to be back out there with the team.”

As it stands, Newcastle are without five defenders with Emil Krafth and Kieran Trippier sidelined, while Dan Burn is suspended for the next game against West Ham after accumulating five Premier League yellow cards.

There’s a chance Trippier could return for the visit of the Hammers, Krafth, however, is likely to be out until 2025 with a broken collarbone.