Kieran Trippier hopes to return against West Ham this weekend(Picture: Shutterstock)
Eddie Howe has given the trio of Kieran Trippier, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento a chance of playing in Newcastle’s clash with West Ham on Saturday, although it is bad news for Sven Botman who is set to be out for months.
The Dutch defender has undergone knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season and even some of the next campaign, such is the severity of the issue.
Botman had been advised to have an operation earlier in the season but opted to try and play on, ultimately making the situation worse.
‘It’s a big blow,’ Howe explained. ‘It’s a complex story with Sven. Initially he had a partial tear. We sought specialist opinion and there was conflicting reports on what he should do next.
‘Ultimately, our medical team advised him to get surgery, but he wanted to carry on. He has then aggravated that issue.
‘He now has a long road ahead of him, but the operation went well so we hope he comes back in a better place. Now we’ll support him and help him back.
‘You can’t force a player to have an operation, no matter what an opinion may be internally. Sven was very certain in his mind what he wanted to do.’
Sven Botman is set for a long spell on the sidelines (Picture: Getty Images)
Along with Botman, the Magpies remain without Nick Pope, Joelinton, Callum Wilson and Lewis Miley through injury and Sandro Tonali due to his betting ban.
However, the trio of Trippier, Barnes and Livramento could all feature at St James’ Park on Saturday lunchtime when West Ham come to visit.
Howe was not exactly committal on the point, saying: ‘Possibly, we’ll have to wait and see.’
Trippier’s calf injury has kept him out since the win over Wolves on 2 March, with the full-back not able to play in the recent international break for England, but a return is now close.
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