'Ready' - Newcastle United star goes public with key injury update after training ground tease

Newcastle United defender Sven Botman suffered a back injury in late November that has ultimately ruled him out for five weeks.

The 25-year-old missed Newcastle’s busy festive fixture schedule but is now ‘ready’ to return for the first match of 2026 against Crystal Palace at St James’ Park on Sunday (3pm kick-off).

Newcastle will be looking to extend their unbeaten run at home to 11 matches despite drawing each of their last two on Tyneside 2-2. The Magpies head into the game on the back of a 3-1 win at Burnley on Tuesday night, with head coach Eddie Howe hitting back at the suggestion his side survived an ‘onslaught’ at Turf Moor.

NUFC injury latest

Lewis Hall suffered a knock to his ankle in the match at Burnley but was able to see out the 3-1 win.

Botman, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn Emil Krafth, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Anthony Elanga and William Osula missed the trip to Turf Moor due to fitness issues.

And Howe was able to deliver some encouraging injury updates in his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.

“[Hall] should be okay,” Howe said. “We'll have a closer look at him today. But I don't see it being a big problem.

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“Krafth, is further back. We've got a couple of training days, but Tino and Kieran have worked really well. They've had proper recovery periods, so they're both close.”

On Botman and Elanga, Howe added: “They're both very close. Sven's been training with the group which has been great.

“So envisaged that he will be in and around this game. Anthony hasn't trained with us yet but is very close to doing so.”

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Sven Botman ‘ready’ to return

After Howe’s encouraging injury update on Friday, Botman took to Instagram on the eve of the Palace game to post an image of himself in action for Newcastle along with the caption: “Ready [black and white heart emoji].”

Botman has suffered badly with injuries over the past few seasons at Newcastle, suffering two separate ACL injuries during the 2023/24 season before suffering another knee issue in February 2025 that ruled him out of the Carabao Cup final.

Eddie Howe previews Crystal Palace clash

Looking ahead to the Palace game, Howe added: “Yeah, it'll be a difficult game. Their away form is very good.

“Very good defensive team, solid, tough to score against. And they've got good attackers the other way as well.

“I think it goes without saying how good a job I think Oliver's done. Watched them closely in the preparation for this game.

“They’ve lost a few key players for different reasons, whether it be injury or the African Cup of Nations. But they're still a very good team. A team that we can't underestimate and we won't underestimate. We don't underestimate any opponent.

“Yet a game that we can do well in if we're at our best levels. We're boosted by the fact we're back at home after what feels like a long time away. But it's a game that we need to prepare well for.”

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