Eddie Howe provides injury update on Newcastle star ahead of Arsenal clash

Eddie Howe has allayed fears over the fitness of Newcastle United defender Sven Botman after he was substituted during the Magpies' Carabao Cup win over Bradford. The Dutch defender was replaced late in the game, sparking fears of an injury ahead of the clash with Arsenal.

Botman was swapped off the field for 21-year-old Alex Murphy with just minutes remaining, and the Netherlands international's longstanding injury issues ensured there was some concern for those watching. Newcastle boss Howe brushed off any concerns, however.

“Yeah, he’s fine, that was just to give Alex some minutes,” the former Bournemouth coach explained following Newcastle's 4-1 win.

Botman has started Newcastle's last two matches, along with summer signing Malick Thiaw, and Howe has been impressed by both players' contributions. The win over Bradford, in which William Osula and Joelinton bagged a brace, saw the duo play together as a defensive partnership for the first time.

Howe said: “It was a really good start for them as a partnership tonight. I thought they looked really good at Bournemouth, albeit in a slightly different system.

"But tonight they looked composed, used the ball really well, they're both very good footballers. I think they've got the attributes to suit each other.

"They started a lot of the attacks for us tonight in a really balanced and composed way and ultimately, of course, they had to defend well and I thought they did for the majority of the game.”

Changes could yet be afoot for the visit of Arsenal to St James' Park. Jacob Ramsey, Yoane Wissa and Fabian Schar are all set to be out through injury but Howe continues to manage his squad game by game as they also contend with a Champions League campaign.

Howe said: “We take it on a game-by-game basis. After Barcelona, it was a case of who we felt would be fatigued going into the Bournemouth game, trying to pick a team to try and win that game.

"Then we do the same again, depending on who's fresh and who we feel might need a rest. So today it was quite a few changes to the team, but the rhythm of the team was really good.

"Players took an opportunity; whoever played took an opportunity to impress. That only galvanises the group and helps the group in our long-term mission to win consistently.”

Newcastle's backline could yet see Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier to return. The latter pair started the game against Bradford on the bench, while Burn was left out of the squad entirely, along with winger Jacob Murphy.

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