Newcastle United defender Sven Botman returned to the starting XI on Sunday, playing his part in a 2-0 win against Chelsea.
It was the Dutchman’s first start for the Magpies since the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal in February, but he did not look out of place back in the starting line-up.
Sven Botman has suffered with successive knee problems which have caused him to miss most of the 2024/25 campaign. However, in his limited number of appearances this season he has impressed and shown why he will be Dan Burn’s long-term successor.
The 25-year-old has made small cameo appearances in Newcastle United’s last two games, but he was thrown in the deep end on Sunday against a Chelsea side who were just behind them in the Premier League table.
Botman was taken off shortly into the second half at St James’ Park, sparking concerns that he had hurt himself again. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has now provided the latest on why Botman was taken off.
Eddie Howe reveals fresh injury concern for Sven Botman
Botman has missed around 12 months of action since sustaining an ACL injury in March 2024. He returned to the squad at the beginning of 2025 only to suffer another, albeit less significant, knee injury that required surgery.
With around 50 minutes in the tank, Botman was replaced by Lewis Miley and Howe made a tactical change to revert back to his traditional 4-3-3 setup.
Speaking to the press after the game, Howe confirmed Botman’s substitution was due to some discomfort in his knee, but reiterated that it should not be much of an issue.
“He was slightly uncomfortable in the half time break with a knee problem. I don’t think it’s serious. He was obviously OK to carry on but he was feeling something so, tactically, I thought it would help us to change.”
Newcastle held on and even scored another goal without Botman on the pitch, with Bruno Guimaraes finding the back of the net in the 90th minute.
- Who is Eddie Howe? The heroic manager who finally brought a trophy back to Newcastle United
Eddie Howe comments on Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock’s absences
It has already been confirmed that Joelinton’s season is in doubt due to injury, but Howe now has two more injuries to worry about alongside Botman’s.
Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock missed Newcastle’s win against Chelsea, with the pair not being named in the matchday squad.
Howe confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Trippier was being assessed and has since confirmed both he and Willock have suffered new injuries.
“Kieran has a calf problem and Joe has a thigh problem,” Howe told press after the win.
“They’re both similar injuries. We don’t think they’re serious but we don’t know if we’ll see them before the end of the season.”
Newcastle have just two games left in the Premier League season; Howe must rally his wounded troops for the trip to Arsenal and final game of the season against Everton to secure Champions League football.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
