It has been a while since Newcastle United fans have seen Sven Botman play football.
The Dutchman has been out with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury since the Magpies FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City in March.
It's fair to say that Toon boss Eddie Howe has missed him in his absence with the Magpies conceding one more goal (31) without Botman in the squad than with him (30).
He has been given then nickname "Rolls Royce" for his fine performances in Newcastle's back line and is eager for his return to the starting line-up.
In the Magpies historic 2022/23 campaign, Botman started all but three games showing the faith Howe and Co have put in him.
Botman spoke to newcastleunited.com amid his return in an emotional interview where he reflected on the last seven months which he admitted was "quite a tough ride"
The 24-year-old recently returned to first-team training and is eager to continue putting the hard work in to return to the matchday squad as soon as possible.
He said: "I'm doing very well and I'm getting close now,
"Friday was my first day back training with the team and the first steps back to normal life which was a good feeling. It was quite relaxed, with the session being two days before a game but if you're out for so long, it's already a big thing just to be around the squad.
"I feel like everything is new but it was really nice to be around the squad, with everybody being very supportive. After the first training session, my first thought afterwards was wanting to do more but it was a good first step.
"When I was back on the training pitch, it was nice because the players were so happy that I was back with them. You can feel left out when you're injured for so long so it's good that people still care about you."
Botman was part of the team that brought Champions League football back to Tyneside for the first time in 20 years and played in the 0-0 draw against AC Milan at the San Siro. With the Magpies well in the running for a European place, he is eager for more success.
"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.
"Whether it was playing in the Champions League, scoring my first goal or reaching a cup final, I just can't wait to help the team again and have that feeling again, he added.
"Those moments are what you play football for. You're happy for the team but, when you're on the sideline, it's never going to feel the same unless you are part of the squad.
"There's so much to play for. You win the trophies in the last part of the season, the most important part, so I'll be getting back to training with the group first and then I'm looking forward to my first game before building on from there to get the form back. I'm feeling really good so I've got no doubts about anything."
PL | GD | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liverpool
|
11 | 15 | 28 |
2 |
Manchester City
|
11 | 9 | 23 |
3 |
Chelsea
|
11 | 8 | 19 |
4 |
Arsenal
|
11 | 6 | 19 |
5 |
Nottingham Forest
|
11 | 5 | 19 |
6 |
Brighton
|
11 | 4 | 19 |
7 |
Fulham
|
11 | 3 | 18 |
8 |
Newcastle United
|
11 | 2 | 18 |
9 |
Aston Villa
|
11 | 0 | 18 |
10 |
Tottenham Hotspur
|
11 | 10 | 16 |
11 |
Brentford
|
11 | 0 | 16 |
12 |
Bournemouth
|
11 | 0 | 15 |
13 |
Manchester United
|
11 | 0 | 15 |
14 |
West Ham United
|
11 | -6 | 12 |
15 |
Leicester
|
11 | -7 | 10 |
16 |
Everton
|
11 | -7 | 10 |
17 |
Ipswich
|
11 | -10 | 8 |
18 |
Crystal Palace
|
11 | -7 | 7 |
19 |
Wolves
|
11 | -11 | 6 |
20 |
Southampton
|
11 | -14 | 4 |