Newcastle United’s under-21s this evening after nine months out with an ACL injury.
The Dutchman initially suffered a partial ACL tear in September last year and opted for a non-surgical rehabilitation plan. He resumed playing in December but looked way off his best, eventually resulting in surgery three months later in March.
Botman has resumed full training in recent weeks but the Magpies won’t rush him back to first-team action. As reported by The Athletic last week, the 24-year-old is pencilled in to play for the club’s second string against Chelsea at Whitley Park tonight.
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Providing an update on Friday, head coach Eddie Howe said: “He’s been training consistently now for around four weeks but that was the plan. We are taking medical advice and trying to follow the right protocols for the injury he’s had to try and make sure we give him the best chance to stay fit.
“The plan is late December or early January, at the earliest, he will be available for us.”
That could see Botman return for Newcastle’s visit to Manchester United on December 30 or the opening game of 2025 away to Tottenham Hotspur on January 4.
Botman recently revealed his excitement about the prospect of playing at St James’ Park again.
“It’s what I’ve been thinking about the last seven months and it would mean a lot,” said the former Ajax defender. “Playing football is something I love to do and when you’re injured for such a long time, you feel like you’re standing still when other people are moving forward.
“I cannot wait for that moment when I’m back on the pitch and playing in our stadium with the team. I remember when I came back from rehab for my knee in November, which was around three months, so it should be even more amazing than that this time around.”
