Newcastle United players Anthony Gordon (r) and Sven Botman share a joke during training ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Athletic Club at Newcastle United Training Centre on November 04, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United players Anthony Gordon (r) and Sven Botman share a joke during training ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Athletic Club at Newcastle United Training Centre on November 04, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United have been without Sven Botman for the last three matches.
Newcastle United defender Sven Botman is a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League play-off second-leg tie at home to Qarabag.
The Magpies had hoped to have the Dutchman available for last night’s 2-1 defeat away to Manchester City after missing wins over Aston Villa and Qarabag with a back issue.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Eddie Howe said: “ Hopefully good news or better news on Sven Botman, he could be in and around this game.”
Sven Botman a doubt for Newcastle United v Qarabag
However, Botman wasn’t involved in the 20-man squad that travelled to the Etihad Stadium and it is unclear if he will be back for the visit of Qarabag in midweek.
Howe told NewcastleWorld: “Yes, we thought he was going to be available yesterday [Friday], but he just didn't feel 100% right, so we didn't want to take any chances with him.
“We hope he'll be available on Tuesday, but that's not 100% clear currently.”
Howe said after the 3-1 FA Cup fourth round win at Aston Villa that he hoped Botman wouldn’t be sidelined “for any period of time” but he has now missed a week of action.
That will come as a concern to supporters after Botman previously missed five weeks of the season due to requiring an injection in his back.
Newcastle United light on defenders for Qarabag tie
With Botman a doubt, Malick Thiaw suspended and Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth out injured, Newcastle head into the Qarabag with just three senior defenders in Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Lewis Hall.
Howe believes the number of defensive injuries have contributed to his side’s record of just two clean sheets in 20 Premier League games.
Speaking after the Man City loss, Howe said: “Without a doubt, when you look at the players we've had injured and the lack of rotation.
“I have to say the back four that played today did really well off the back of the run of games that we've had to keep turning up and producing, I thought, good performances, although there were a couple of mistakes in there that you will highlight and go, we could have done better.
“Overall, the players are all out and doing their best for the football club, and we're missing some top defenders that would have made a difference. And I'm sure if we had those players available, that record wouldn't sound as negative as it does.
“But certainly there are areas to improve, and I'm disappointed that we conceded two goals today, because when you look at the game, I don't think that was probably what we deserved.”
Newcastle United young duo on standby
Young defensive duo Alex Murphy and Leo Shahar have featured in the matchday squad on several occasions this campaign and could be used against Qarabag with United leading 6-1 from the first-leg.
Murphy, who can play at left-back or centre-half, has appeared as a substitute four times this term while Shahar is still waiting to make his senior debut.
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