It has been a long road to recovery for the Dutch defender, who initially sustained a knee injury in September 2023 and elected for a non-surgical rehabilitation plan – a decision which saw him return to action three months later.
Despite his reintroduction into Eddie Howe’s side, though, the 24-year-old would require ACL surgery after limping off during United’s Emirates FA Cup quarter-final defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
“It’s easy to say I could’ve had (surgery) earlier but if you’re in the moment, you know your body well,” Botman told newcastleunited. com. “When I first had the injury, I actually played a few games afterwards and felt fine in those. At the other end, you have to make a choice of feeling fine or having rehab for eight months or so. It was quite hard to make that decision in that moment.
“I had some problems before but, for me personally, it wasn’t enough to have surgery. I was struggling with my knee and after the Man City game, I knew it was over for me. I think, for one reason, it might have been good that it happened so I’m now over that and it’s done.”
Botman’s impressive start to life on Tyneside, following his move to St. James’ Park from Lille in the summer of 2022, saw him earn the nickname of ‘Rolls Royce’ after his consistent displays at the heart of United’s backline.
Named in every matchday squad of United’s 2022/23 campaign, starting 35 Premier League fixtures in his debut season whilst securing Champions League qualification after a top-four finish, Botman would face a prolonged spell on the sidelines due to his injury struggles the following term.
“It’s definitely the longest time I’ve been out,” he explained. “I don’t think there’s any other injuries where you’re out for as long as that. It’s been a physical challenge but also a mental one. The first few weeks were fine after I went back home (to Amsterdam) for rehab and training. I then went to a training centre in Portugal for a few weeks and you then close yourself down from being around the team.
“From the moment I returned to Newcastle, it became really hard in terms of seeing the guys going outside for training and always having to work on your own, running by yourself on a different pitch to your teammates. You always have one eye on them, which was difficult.
“After a few weeks of rehab, you’d feel really positive about everything and then be really negative for a few weeks, struggling mentally. It was quite a tough ride but, at the end, it does make you stronger.”
After months of individual work conducted at Newcastle United’s Benton-based Training Centre, aided throughout by first-team physiotherapist Steve Megson, Botman completed light training alongside his teammates for the first time since his injury last week and expressed his appreciation towards those close to him whilst enduring an unprecedented long-term setback.
With recoveries from ACL injuries ranging from between six to even 12 months, Botman is doing his utmost to return as soon as possible but relished the involvement with his footballing peers as he continues his build-up towards full fitness.
“I’m doing very well and I’m getting close now,” he said. “Friday was my first day back training with the team and the first steps back to normal life which was a good feeling. It was quite relaxed, with the session being two days before a game but if you’re out for so long, it’s already a big thing just to be around the squad.
“I feel like everything is new but it was really nice to be around the squad, with everybody being very supportive. After the first training session, my first thought afterwards was wanting to do more but it was a good first step.
“When I was back on the training pitch, it was nice because the players were so happy that I was back with them. You can feel left out when you’re injured for so long so it’s good that people still care about you.”