Sven Botman will be sidelined for approximately eight weeks after sustaining another knee injury, Eddie Howe confirmed on Friday.
The center-back, who had only recently returned in January following a 10-month absence due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, has now injured his other knee and requires surgery.
Howe explained that the Netherlands international was close to making his return earlier this month but experienced discomfort the day before Newcastle’s FA Cup tie against Brighton. The issue persisted, leading to the decision for a minor operation to clear out fluid from the knee.
“We have been trying to get him back to full fitness, he was very close to the Brighton game but the day before he felt something again in his knee,” Howe said. “This week he has had the same discomfort, so it looks like he will have to have an operation. He needs a small operation to clear out some fluid, and then he should be fine again.”
Botman’s absence compounds Newcastle’s selection issues ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on March 16.
Lewis Hall has already been ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot injury, while Anthony Gordon will miss the final through suspension after his red card against Brighton.
“There was no intention from Anthony. He didn’t mean to hurt anybody,” Howe said of Gordon’s dismissal. “But you have to look at it and ask if there is any chance of being successful [with an appeal], and if there is no chance then what is the point of appealing? Anthony understands that.”
Newcastle returns to action on Monday when they visit London to play West Ham on the road as part of the Premier League’s MD28.