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Newcastle United have without Sven Botman since the beginning of February because of a knee injury.
Newcastle United centre-back Sven Botman could reportedly return from injury earlier than expected.
The Dutchman last featured for the Magpies in their 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg win over Arsenal on Wednesday, February 5. He started the game before being substituted in the 80th minute because of a knee issue.
An initial assessment determined Botman’s injury to be minor. Four weeks later, after missing matches against Birmingham City, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion, it was confirmed the Dutchman did indeed require surgery.
When will Sven Botman return from injury?
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe then revealed an expected recovery time of eight weeks, ruling him out until the beginning of May.
Explaining the situation ahead of the 1-0 win at West Ham United earlier this month, Howe said: “Sven, we've been trying to get him back to full fitness. He was very close [against Brighton] but one of his last actions in training he just felt something. This week, he's felt the same discomfort so it looks like now he'll need an operation to fix the issue.
“This has come from a knock in one of his first games back, he didn't feel it was a big issue but he needs a small operation to clear out some fluid and he'll be okay again. We should [see him], it’s a minor operation but whenever you have an operation there’s a recovery period. We think eight weeks will be the time period for him.”
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There is, however, Botman could be back sooner than first thought. According iNews, the defender is “making good progress and could be on target to return before the original eight-week prognosis for his lay-off.”
The 25-year-old had only recently returned from 10 months out with an ACL injury, playing five times - including both Carabao Cup semi-final victories versus Arsenal - before his latest setback. His current issue is in the opposite knee.
By the time May comes around, the Magpies will have just four Premier League fixtures remaining, But if reports are to be believed, then Botman might return for an extra game or two.
After winning the Carabao Cup and ending the club’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, the challenge for Howe’s squad now is to go and secure Champions League qualification.
Due to UEFA coefficient rules, it is likely teams who finish in the top five positions will qualify for next season’s competition. United - who have a game in-hand- currently sit sixth in the table, one point behind fifth place Man City and two behind Chelsea in fourth.
Newcastle aren’t in action this weekend after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton. Their next game falls on Wednesday, when Brentford visit St James’ Park.
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