- Newcastle are set to be without Sven Botman for the next six months
- He was substituted with injury in Newcastle’s defeat by Man City on Saturday
- CHRIS SUTTON reveals his favourite last-minute goals of all time – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Newcastle defender Sven Botman will undergo ACL surgery next week and will be out for between six and nine months.
The Dutch defender suffered the injury in the 2-0 FA Cup defeat by Manchester City on Saturday and was substituted in the 82nd minute.
Botman missed three months earlier in the season after damaging ligaments in the same knee. It is thought this latest problem is a separate issue, but it will raise questions over the decision not to operate in September.
A club statement read: ‘Following further assessment, a scan has confirmed that he sustained an injury to his ACL during Saturday’s match and he is expected to return to action within six-to-nine months.
‘The Dutch centre-back initially sustained a knee injury in September 2023 and elected for a non-surgical rehabilitation plan – a decision which saw him return to action in December. Everyone at Newcastle United wishes Sven a full and speedy recovery.’
Newcastle defender Sven Botman will undergo ACL surgery next week and will be out for six months
Newcastle sit 10th in the Premier League standings, 13 points away from a place in Europe
The loss of the 24-year-old is the latest injury blow to hit Eddie Howe this season.
Club captain Jamaal Lascelles will now deputise at centre-back.
Botman revealed at Christmas that he had returned after damaging knee ligaments, when he said: ‘I did my knee against Brentford (Sep 16) but then played two games after that (without realising).
‘It blew up the day after the Sheffield United game (Sep 24) and the scan showed some big damage in my knee.
‘Some people (specialists) said it was a total rupture. Others said that it wasn’t.
‘So I have done everything to rest and avoid surgery.
‘The operation would have kept me out for nine months but I’m back and feeling like my old self again. So it seems like I made the right choice.’
Botman had been ruled out of action earlier this season with a knee injury, missing three months of action between September and December
