ยท March 6 2025, 17:30
**A very strong rumour is doing the rounds in Newcastle United circles that Sven Botman is to join Lewis Hall on the out-for-the-season list.**
The Dutchman has been missing since January after the briefest of comebacks following his ACL surgery last year.
It's another knee issue for the 25-year-old although it's believed to be the opposite knee to the one which kept him out of much of the last campaign and indeed, this one.
Now a rumour is doing the rounds that Botman will need surgery on this knee too and as such his season is likely to be over.
Tell 'em Botman!
Sven Botman is not happy with the current rumour doing the rounds
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Given that Newcastle fans are in a pretty negative headspace right now after being knocked out of the FA Cup and losing Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall ahead of the Carabao Cup final, it's easy for a negative rumour like this to gain traction.
However, Sven Botman himself is fighting back, posting in the comments section of an [Instagram post from infamous ITK GeordieJosh](https://www.instagram.com/p/DG2jv-LC6mF/) detailing that he's likely to be out for the season.
"Don't sell bulls\*\*t"
Eddie Howe has been saying that Sven Botman is close to a return for weeks
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Botman's comment doesn't hint at any truth, so while the star appears to be refuting the idea that he's out for the season, it certainly doesn't mean he's ready to return to action on Monday.
Eddie Howe has been saying Botman is 'close' to a return for a couple of weeks now, but we've all experienced Howe's definition of 'close' many times before.
Until an official word comes out from the club, we're going to continue to hope that Woodgate 2.0 will overcome this latest injury in time for the trip to Wembley.