[Sven Botman](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/sven-botman) has hinted that he could be available to play in Newcastle United's festive programme after appearing for the reserves against Chelsea.
Botman played an hour of the 3-2 win against the Blues at Whitley Park in front of head coach Eddie Howe and will now hope to be in contention for the packed December fixture list after overcoming a horror ACL injury. Botman last appeared for the first-team back in March as Newcastle bowed out of the [FA Cup](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/fa-cup) at the Etihad Stadium in the quarter-finals.
Botman told the club's TV channel: "I’ve been training for a while now, this was actually the last phase of my rehab. I’m looking forward to the moment back at St James’ Park with the first-team, that’s my goal.
"It is just about getting the feeling of matchday again and getting the sharpness. It is all about the games and the actions. You have some good periods and some bad ones and at the end you come through it. It has been a long period but I just want to look at the future now, I don’t want to look back."
Newcastle's festive programme sees them play Aston Villa at home on Boxing Day, Man United away on December 30 and then Spurs on January 4 in the capital. Howe, speaking at his press conference before the Brentford game, hinted he could be involved over the holiday period.
Howe said: "He was good last night and we exchanged messages. He looked good on the pitch, his movement was good. He is a massive player for us and we have missed him. He is still a little bit to go before first team selection. We were looking at the end of December beginning of January."