Sven Botman's one-word response to Newcastle United's win v Chelsea amid injury mystery

A number of Newcastle United's injured players were at St James' Park to watch the 4-1 win over Chelsea.

The Magpies were without 13 senior players for the visit of the Blues but that didn't stop them from surging to victory following goals from the returning Alexander Isak, Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon.

As tradition goes, each member of the club's playing squad and backroom team poses for a dressing room photo after victories.

And that was no different against Chelsea, with Magpies boss Eddie Howe happy to see Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes and Sven Botman join in the celebrations.

"It's certainly a big result for us, to lift ourselves and lift the mood and forget the most recent results," said Howe in his post-match press conference. "And yes, we needed to go to Paris with positive momentum.

"I could feel a real unity in the dressing room. A lot of the injured players were in there with us. It was a feeling of togetherness. We're desperate to get some players back to help, but it was a very positive vibe between everybody."

Botman was among the players to comment publicly on the win. While his simple "proud" response is only one word, it speaks a thousand more as he, like several other unavailable players, continue to support their teammates even when out of action.

In the Dutchman's absence, club skipper Lascelles has really stepped up to the plate.

But when Botman is due to return from his knee injury, which has kept him sidelined for two months, remains a mystery.

"We know what his injury is but we're unsure at this moment in time how long Sven is going to be out," Howe said on Friday.

"We're hoping it's not too long and we're hoping he can rejoin the group pretty quickly. But there's a chance that might not happen so we're keeping everything crossed."

Elsewhere, it is unclear when Willock and Wilson are due to return. The former sustained a new Achilles injury in training on Friday while Wilson is out with a hamstring problem.

Howe hopes to welcome back Longstaff, Barnes and Anderson before the year is over but Murphy, Burn and Targett won't be back until 2024.