Newcastle defender Sven Botman set to undergo surgery, will miss Carabao Cup final v Liverpool | OneFootball

Newcastle United defender Sven Botman will undergo knee surgery and miss the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley (March 16), according to the Daily Mail.

The Newcastle centre-back consulted a specialist on Tuesday. They agreed that surgery was the best course of action.

Expect Newcastle manager Eddie Howe to provide an update on how long Botman will be out in the coming days.

However, his absence leaves a gaping hole at the back for the Magpies as they bid to clinch their first domestic trophy in over 50 years.

This latest injury compounds Newcastle’s mounting woes, with Botman joining Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall on the list of absentees for the Magpies.

Gordon will be unavailable for the final due to suspension after receiving a red card against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. Newcastle considered contesting the decision but ultimately (and wisely) decided not to.

Meanwhile, Hall is out for the season with a foot injury. The Newcastle left-back has enjoyed a fantastic season but will watch the rest of the campaign from the sidelines.

Botman’s situation is particularly frustrating for Newcastle, given that he had only recently returned in January following a gruelling 10-month lay-off due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

However, this latest setback affects his opposite knee, and there is cautious optimism from the Magpies that the issue is not as severe as his previous ACL injury.

The 24-year-old defender had already missed Newcastle’s last five matches, with club medical staff hopeful of his return in recent weeks.

However, the specialist consultation confirmed that surgery is necessary, forcing Newcastle to rethink their defensive plans for the upcoming final.

Howe will need to find solutions quickly as the Magpies look to battle through adversity and challenge Liverpool for silverware. They are determined to seal the deal after failing to win the final two years ago against Manchester United.