Newcastle United suffered another setback in their clash against Fulham at St James’ Park as they were hit with yet another injury concern, this time involving Sven Botman.
The £35 million defender was forced off in the second half after a nasty collision that left him needing medical attention and ultimately unable to continue.
The incident happened just before the hour mark, at a time when Newcastle were holding a narrow 1-0 lead. In a fierce aerial duel at the Leazes End, Botman and Fulham’s Sasa Lukić went head-to-head as both players challenged for the ball.
The impact was brutal. Lukić managed to make contact and direct the ball off the crossbar into the net, equalising for Fulham, but in the process collided heavily with Botman, leaving the defender clearly dazed and in discomfort.
The game was stopped for several minutes as Newcastle’s medical staff rushed onto the pitch to treat Botman.
There was clear concern among the players and coaching staff as the Dutch centre-back received treatment, with the referee pausing play until it was safe to continue.
Eventually, it was decided that Botman could not play on, and the defender slowly made his way off the field, clutching an ice pack to the back of his head.
He was escorted around the pitch and straight down the tunnel by the club’s medical team, leaving fans anxious about the severity of the injury.
Eddie Howe was quick to respond, immediately turning to his bench for a replacement. Fabian Schär, who had not featured since early October in the Europa League clash against Union SG, was brought on to take Botman’s place.
The Swiss international was thrown straight into the action, marking his return after weeks on the sidelines.
At the same time, Howe took the opportunity to make further changes, hoping to inject some fresh energy into the side. Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes were both introduced, replacing Lewis Miley and Jacob Murphy, who had worked tirelessly throughout the first hour of play.
Murphy had earlier given Newcastle the lead with a smart finish but later missed a golden opportunity to double the advantage, which proved costly as Fulham soon found their way back into the game.
Botman’s injury adds to an already concerning list of fitness problems for Newcastle this season. The defender has been a crucial part of Howe’s setup, providing solidity and composure at the back, and his potential absence will be a major concern for the Magpies as they prepare for a busy run of fixtures.
Fans will now anxiously await updates on his condition, hoping the issue isn’t serious and that he can return to action soon.
While the game continued, the sight of Botman leaving the pitch summed up the frustration of a Newcastle side that has battled through constant setbacks this season.
Once again, Howe’s men were forced to adapt, digging deep to find answers in difficult circumstances.
Football can often be cruel, and this was another reminder of how quickly things can change. For Newcastle, the priority now is ensuring Botman recovers fully because his presence at the heart of the defence is something they can’t afford to lose.
