Newcastle United centre-back Sven Botman is set to undergo surgery next week after suffering another knee injury against Manchester City.
The Magpies have had a very difficult season when it comes to injuries, with several first-team stars suffering long-term and, in some cases, multiple injuries over the 2023–24 campaign.
Eddie Howe is currently without Callum Wilson, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Harvey Barnes, and Tino Livramento, as most of them battle for fitness while his Italian midfield dynamo continues to serve his suspension and now, Botman joins his teammates in recovery.
Newcastle’s never-ending injury crisis has arguably played a huge part in the side’s inconsistent form both domestically and on the European stage too, although many supporters will just be grateful to see their club finally competing again and taking part in the Champions League.
At present, the North East club are 10th in the Premier League table and 16 points adrift from last season’s placement inside the top four, and with ten games to go, targets to replicate their fantastic 2022-2023 will have likely been reduced to a more humble Europa League or Conference League qualification instead.
However, Howe has had another spanner thrown into the works with another huge injury blow that will rock the side’s defensive set-up for an estimated six to nine months as Botman is set to undergo knee surgery after further damaging his ACL ligaments during the FA Cup clash with Manchester City.
The official club website announced yesterday afternoon that the Netherlands native will not feature for the remainder of the season and is unlikely to return for the beginning of the next campaign as he recovers from the surgery.
Our verdict on Sven Botman’s injury blow…
For many Newcastle supporters, it will come as no surprise that the defender will be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, as it is the opinion of many that he was rushed back after damaging his ligaments during an outing against Liverpool in September.
Botman made a surprisingly fast recovery and was seen back in the starting eleven less than a month later, which has seen the Dutchman fail to reach his usual high standards in the defensive set-up and has seemingly struggled to get back to his best.
Indeed, finally being given the green light to have the surgery and recover will be a relief to Botman and to the Newcastle boss, but it does beg the question as to whether the Magpies will need to consider recruiting another centre-back in his absence.
The summer transfer window will open in just over a month’s time, and there will be a lot to consider for Howe and his recruitment team as to whether they have the resources in the current squad to make up for the massive hole Botman leaves in the back four, or if they will need to bring in another centre-back to partner Jamal Lascelles or Fabian Schar for the opening games of next season.
Either way, it doesn’t bode well for the ambitious push Newcastle will need to compete for qualification to European football next season over the remaining ten games, as Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United, and Brighton and Hove Albion all seek the same.
