Sven Botman issues Newcastle United injury update after being ruled out for nine months
Sven Botman teased Newcastle United supporters with a clock emoji as he closes in on a long-awaited return.
Toon chiefs pursued the Dutchman intensely following the Saudi-backed takeover three years ago. Despite being in the relegation zone, Newcastle made Botman their top centre-back target, fighting off interest from AC Milan.
The Magpies got their man five months later once top-flight survival was secured and the defender became an integral part of the team that secured Champions League football. However, a knee injury has hampered Botman’s progress since, with Newcastle not seeing the best of him since September 2023.
He tweaked his ligaments against Brentford and sensationally played two further games before being ruled out for three months. Refusing surgery, Botman never looked the same player but went under the knife in March.
Newcastle were dealt a six-to-nine-month blow and sporting director Paul Mitchell confirmed last month that Botman’s return would be at the more conservative side of the scale - ruling him out until December. Eddie Howe also gave an update on the 24-year-old’s road to recovery.
“I wouldn't expect either player back for months,” he told reporters. “I think they are sort of around halfway through their timetable of recovery. So a long way ahead for both players.”
Botman has now posted a picture on Instagram, exciting fans about a potentially quicker return. NewcastleWorld learned in the summer that the Toon ace was “doing well” and focused on a swift return.
Dan Burn and Fabian Schar have been Howe’s preferred centre-back pairing in his absence. Failing to sign top summer target Marc Guehi has left Emil Krafth and Lloyd Kelly as backup options, with Jamaal Lascelles also nursing an ACL injury.