Sven Botman to Miss Eight Weeks with Knee Injury, Further Strain on Newcastle's Squad Ahead of Carabao Cup Final

Newcastle United's defense has been significantly impacted by recent injuries, notably the sidelining of Dutch defender Sven Botman for approximately eight weeks due to a knee issue.

Manager Eddie Howe confirmed that Botman, 25, experienced discomfort in his knee during training prior to the match against Brighton on March 2. This persistent issue necessitates surgery, leading to his absence for the next two months. 

This setback is particularly concerning as Botman had only recently returned from a 10-month recovery following an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in March 2024. His current knee problem involves the opposite knee and requires an operation to remove excess fluid. 

Compounding Newcastle's challenges, left-back Lewis Hall is out for the remainder of the season due to a foot injury, and forward Anthony Gordon is suspended for three matches following a red card in the FA Cup tie against Brighton. These absences pose significant hurdles for Newcastle as they approach the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on March 16. 

Manager Eddie Howe expressed the difficulty of losing key players, especially Hall and Gordon, but remains focused on finding solutions to navigate these challenges.