Newcastle United’s injury concerns continue to mount as Sven Botman is now set for knee surgery, ruling him out for the next eight weeks.
Manager Eddie Howe confirmed the news, explaining that while it’s a setback, the issue is in the opposite knee to the ACL injury that kept the defender sidelined for ten months.
Botman had returned to action in January and made five appearances before sustaining a knock during Newcastle’s 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final win over Arsenal.
The club initially hoped he would recover without surgery, but after consulting a specialist, it was decided that a minor operation was necessary to clear fluid from his knee.
More Injury Woes for Newcastle
The timing of Botman’s injury is far from ideal, as Newcastle already faces several selection challenges.
Anthony Gordon will miss the upcoming Carabao Cup final against Liverpool due to suspension following his red card in the FA Cup loss to Brighton.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hall has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
Howe acknowledged the difficult period for the team, saying, “It’s not been the best of weeks!”
However, he remains optimistic that Botman’s surgery will be minor, and the defender should return before the end of the season.
Positive Update on Isak
While Botman’s situation is a setback, there is good news regarding Alexander Isak.
The striker, who was substituted in the second half of the Brighton match, sparked concerns over his fitness ahead of Monday’s clash against West Ham and the Carabao Cup final.
However, Howe reassured fans that Isak is in good shape. “Alex is fine,” he confirmed.
“He was feeling a bit fatigued towards the end of the game, but he has trained every day and is good.”
Ready for West Ham?
When asked whether Isak will be available to start against West Ham, Howe responded, “Fingers crossed, yeah.
If he’s fit, he’ll play. The best way to keep players in top condition is to give them minutes on the pitch.”
With injuries piling up, Newcastle will be hoping for no further setbacks as they prepare for a crucial run of fixtures.