Newcastle: Sven Botman injury update before Brentford clash

The Newcastle defender has been sidelined since last month’s defeat to Liverpool.

HIGHLIGHTS
Sven Botman is nearing a return for the match against Brentford next week.
The severity of Botman’s injury is not as severe as initially thought, but his particular comeback date remains uncertain.
Since Botman was sent off against Liverpool, Newcastle have looked lost at the back.

Newcastle United defender Sven Botman has returned to the club’s training ground, and a reliable journalist has revealed the chances of him being involved in the Premier League game vs Brentford next weekend.

What’s the latest injury news on Sven Botman?

Last summer, Botman arrived at St. James’ Park from Ligue 1 side Lille where he’s since gone on to make 47 appearances to date, but he’s recently been spending some time on the sidelines after being forced off the pitch with an ankle injury on 87 minutes during last month’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool.

The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope soon after delivered an update on the severity of the centre-back’s problem, stating:

“Understand early indications are that Sven Botman has avoided serious damage to his ankle after injury suffered on Sunday. More news awaited ahead of [the] weekend but I’m told it’s not as bad as perhaps first feared.”

The Netherlands international has recently been left out of his nation’s squad for their Euro 2024 qualifiers to focus on his recovery in the Northeast, and if the following update is to be believed, the 23-year-old could be set to stage his comeback as soon as next week.

Botman will play against Brentford.
Jordan Cronin revealed on X on Monday that Botman has returned to Newcastle’s training facilities as he works his way back to full fitness, albeit his status for next weekend’s visit by Brentford is unknown.

“Sven Botman returned to the #NUFC training ground today as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.” Eddie Howe stated that it is “unknown” whether Botman would play against Brentford, but his recent social media activity suggests that he may be available.”

How talented is Botman?
Standing at 6 feet 3, Botman has been branded a defensive “unit” at Newcastle by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and the physical presence he has given to the backline since coming is evident to everybody, so a return would be a great boost.

Prior to his absence, Howe’s ace was averaging three clearances and two aerial wins per top-flight game, according to WhoScored, not to mention that he’s won all five tackles he’s attempted this season, which is the joint-best success rate in the squad, according to FBRef.

The Magpies’ £90,000-a-week earner, who has also made one assist since putting pen to paper,

paper with the black and white stripes, is even capable of functioning out wide at left-back in addition to his customary job in the center of the defense, providing the boss with some welcome variety, albeit in absolute circumstances.

Aside from Botman, Howe’s other obvious choices at centre-back are Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles, so the manager will be concerned about a lack of reinforcements after failing to enhance his ranks over the summer, so ideally the former will be back soon.