Referee John Brooks checks on Newcastle United's Sven Botman
Referee John Brooks checks on Newcastle United's Sven Botman
Newcastle United are sweating on Sven Botman's fitness going into their crucial clash at Arsenal.
The Dutchman came off with a knee issue on 55 minutes in the 2-0 win over Chelsea and has not trained this week. The former Lille defender is being assessed and has had a scan on the injury.
Botman came back from a nine month lay off this season but has featured just eight times in this campaign. There are fears that the centre-back could miss both the Emirates Stadium encounter and the final day of the season against Everton.
Just two months ago Botman missed six matches with a broken kneecap and has taken time to return to the fold. He made two cameo appearances against Ipswich and Brighton but his first start against the Blues on Sunday ended in heartache after failing to recover from a first half knock and being replaced before the hour.
Botman has missed 59 matches through injuries in the last two seasons and went to see a specialist in spring. Newcastle accelerated Jamaal Lascelles' return from a long-term knee injury by naming him on the bench and putting him through his paces in a private friendly against Celtic.
United have been approached for comment on Botman's status but Eddie Howe faces the media tomorrow morning and will provide an update. When asked about Botman's injury on Sunday, Howe said: "I think he was icing a problem at half-time, so we hope he’s okay."
Howe has also been assessing Kieran Trippier's calf injury while Joe Willock has been nursing a thigh problem.