Eddie Howe has confirmed that defender Sven Botman will miss next week’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
The Dutchman suffered a major knee injury last term and, after recovering in January, it was hoped the issue was behind him. Botman started five matches but had to be replaced at half-time against Bournemouth on 18 January and hasn’t played since.
Manager Eddie Howe said at the weekend that the center-back was ‘close’ to being back for the FA Cup defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion but was ultimately ruled out. News broke then earlier this week that Botman is set to undergo surgery, something Howe confirmed on Friday morning.
“Sven, we have been trying to get him back to full fitness, he was very close to the Brighton game but the day before he felt something again in his knee. This week he has had the same discomfort so it looks like he will have to have an operation,” he explained.
“He needs a small operation to clear out some fluid and then he should be fine again. We hope he should be back in about eight weeks.”
The news is a huge blow for Newcastle who is set to be without Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall for the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. The latter sustained a foot injury that will rule him out for the rest of the season.
“Really disappointed for Lewis, we are devastated for him, he had so much to look forward to,” said Howe. “He had the cup final and then internationals coming up, he was in really good form. It is a big blow for him and for us.”
As for Gordon, he was sent off against Brighton for violent conduct and will miss the next three matches as result. Howe also confirmed in Friday’s press conference that Newcastle don’t plan to appeal the decision.
“We discussed it as a club, with the respected people that we need to discuss it with, lawyers. We just felt that there probably wasn’t sufficient grounds.”
The news this week is a hammer blow for Newcastle, who has last three players from it’s starting XI, while Jamaal Lascelles is also out with a long-term injury.
