Eddie Howe provides injury update after Sven Botman withdrew during Sunday's game against Arsenal
Newcastle United fought a close contest with Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday, ultimately losing 3-2 after Joelinton conceded a late penalty.
However, it's not about the results as much as it is about building fitness for Eddie Howe's men ahead of the new season.
Given the stifling humidity in Singapore, Howe's lads looked very fit, pressing high and making some high-energy plays.
However, that could have come at a cost as Sven Botman, who has had a torrid time of it with injuries since he joined Newcastle, had to withdraw from the game early, complaining of tightness in his groin.
Sven Botman's groin injury will keep him out of the next couple of games
Eddie Howe had said after the game that he didn't think it was serious, and now, having spoken to the media in South Korea (via NUFC's official site), the gaffer has provided an update on the Dutch tank.
"We didn't think it was a serious injury at the time, which has been confirmed in the scan. He definitely won't play tomorrow but whether he plays a part in the Tottenham game, let's wait and see. Possibly not, but then we hope he can be available for the double-header leading into the first game."
So Botman is ruled out of tomorrow's game against the K-League Allstars/Team K-League, whatever you want to call them, and will likely miss the game against Tottenham on Sunday, which is probably for the best. Better to be safe than sorry.
Sven Botman - Phenomenal defender, biscuit legs
We hope this isn't going to be a trend with Botman. He's a phenomenal defender, but when he was being made, they clearly pulled his legs from the same batch as Patrick Bamford.
If only we had a new central defender to mitigate against these injury issues.
In fairness, we have Big Dan Burn to cover for Botman, and he was an absolute animal last season, so we have no problem with Burn stepping in again, but he's not getting any younger, and if injuries are going to be Botman's thing, perhaps we should be looking at two centre-backs this summer.
