Eddie Howe acknowledges Newcastle United's injury setback

Sven Botman, a Newcastle United defender, is still a few weeks away from returning to the first team, according to Eddie Howe, who acknowledged a setback in his recuperation from a knee injury. Botman hasn't played for the Magpies since their 8-0 triumph at Bramall Lane last month, when he scored his first goal for the club. Although the club is yet to clarify the degree of Botman's injury and accompanying rehabilitation time, any more time on the sidelines would result in the Dutchman missing a significant number of games. The Magpies have four games in the next 11 days, but they will be missing Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, and Harvey Barnes.

Murphy, Anderson, and Barnes will all be out until after Christmas, although Howe did provide a somewhat more optimistic update on Isak's condition, saying, "Alex hopefully will be back after the international break.”