Newcastle United is currently navigating a challenging situation with two of their key defenders, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, both of whom are recovering from serious ACL injuries. These setbacks have left the team without their services for an extended period, and while progress is being made, it looks like patience will be required before they return to full action.
Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles both suffered significant knee injuries in March 2024. Since then, they have been undergoing long-term rehabilitation programs. Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle United, provided a recent update on the recovery status of both players. While both are making progress, their return to first-team action is not expected in the immediate future. The two players are still at different stages of recovery, with Howe indicating that Lascelles will likely return later than Botman.
In his update, Howe explained that while Botman has been making “good progress,” the player still has some way to go before he can fully rejoin the team. The expectation is that Botman could start light training with the squad within the next few weeks, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be ready for match action right away. Howe described any potential return for Botman before the end of 2024 as a “bonus.” Realistically, the club is looking at a potential return date sometime in January 2025. This timeline is in line with the initial recovery period set in March when the players first sustained their injuries.
Lascelles, on the other hand, is expected to take longer to recover. Howe confirmed that Lascelles is on a different rehabilitation schedule and will likely be out longer than Botman. The recovery for ACL injuries can be unpredictable, and it’s clear from Howe’s comments that Newcastle will need to be cautious with both players, making sure they are fully fit before reintroducing them to competitive action. Patience will be key, as rushing them back too soon could risk further injury.
The situation with Botman and Lascelles has left Newcastle’s defensive lineup thin, and the club has had to consider alternative solutions in the meantime. Over the summer, there was speculation that Newcastle might look for additional defensive reinforcements, especially after a failed attempt to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. Though that move didn’t materialize, Newcastle’s interest in Guehi remains, and they may revisit that transfer in the future. However, the expected return of Botman in the coming months could alter the club’s plans. If Botman returns as anticipated, Newcastle might shift their focus toward strengthening other areas of the squad, particularly in attack.
Botman himself provided an encouraging update about his recovery. In a recent Instagram post, the Dutch defender shared a photo of himself back on the training ground, alongside a caption expressing his excitement about returning to training with the team. The image showed Botman looking optimistic as he worked with the coaching staff. While this is a positive sign, the club will proceed with caution, ensuring that Botman is fully fit before he makes a return to competitive action.
In the meantime, Newcastle has also had to adjust to playing without both of their experienced center-backs. Last season, the club was already facing defensive challenges due to Emil Krafth’s extended absence following his own ACL injury, which kept him out for 14 months. The absence of Krafth, along with the ongoing injuries to Botman and Lascelles, has highlighted the importance of squad depth, and the club’s defensive setup has been tested.
Looking ahead, Lascelles’ contract situation adds another layer of uncertainty. His current deal runs out at the end of the 2024-2025 season, and although the club exercised a one-year extension during the 2023-2024 campaign, his future at Newcastle remains unclear. It is possible that the club could look to bring in a replacement for him, particularly if his recovery does not go as planned or if he does not regain his starting position upon his return.
Overall, Newcastle United faces a period of uncertainty regarding the fitness of their two key defenders, but the team remains hopeful that Botman and Lascelles will make full recoveries. In the meantime, Howe and the club’s coaching staff will need to manage the squad carefully to ensure they remain competitive while waiting for their defensive stalwarts to return. Patience will be essential, and the club is likely to continue monitoring the transfer market for further reinforcements as they look to strengthen their squad in the coming months.
