What Eddie Howe said immediately after Sven Botman’s ‘unusual’ return for Newcastle United

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Newcastle United got a big boost even before beating Tottenham on Saturday.

Eddie Howe’s side were able to welcome back Sven Botman for the first time since March as Newcastle overcame Spurs 2-1 in the Premier League.

It means Newcastle are flying high in the table and are on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League, providing English sides are offered five places this time around.

Unbeaten in six games across all competitions, having Botman back is huge.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	18	14	3	1	45	17	28	45
2	ArsenalArsenal	19	11	6	2	38	17	21	39
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	19	11	4	4	26	19	7	37
4	ChelseaChelsea	19	10	5	4	38	23	15	35
5	NewcastleNewcastle	19	9	5	5	32	21	11	32
6	Man CityManchester City	19	9	4	6	32	26	6	31
7	B’mouthBournemouth	19	8	6	5	29	23	6	30
8	FulhamFulham	19	7	8	4	28	25	3	29
9	Aston VillaAston Villa	19	8	5	6	28	31	-3	29
10	BrightonBrighton	19	6	9	4	29	28	1	27

So good in his first season at the club, it was a shame to see his second campaign derailed by two serious knee injuries.

While there had been suggestions the Dutchman could be in the squad for Saturday’s game, it was perhaps a surprise to see him start alongside Dan Burn in central defence.

With Fabian Schar suspended, the Newcastle United manager was recently talking up Lloyd Kelly and he looked much the more likely to start given just how long Botman had been out.

Still, it was Botman who partnered Burn and Howe gave his verdict when speaking after the game.

Eddie Howe reacts as Sven Botman makes Newcastle United comeback

Howe admitted it was “unusual” to have Botman playing on the right-hand side of the defence given he’s a left-footed defender.

With Schar out, however, it was necessary.

Talking to TNT Sports, Howe said: “[He was] playing a slightly unusual position on the right-hand side for a left-footer but I thought he handled that really well. Delighted with his return.”

Sven Botman is set to step-up Newcastle return imminently

In an ideal world, Botman would be brought back into the team on a steady basis. Newcastle can hardly afford to lose such a talented player again.

Sadly, that’s seemingly not going to happen. Schar is suspended for Tuesday’s trip to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final and it would now be something of a surprise to see Kelly start ahead of him.

Thankfully, Botman is back.