Sven Botman: 'I cannot wait for that moment' | OneFootball

It has been a long road to recovery for the Dutch defender, who initially sustained a knee injury in September 2023 and elected for a non-surgical rehabilitation plan - a decision which saw him return to action three months later.

Despite his reintroduction into Eddie Howe's side, though, the 24-year-old would require ACL surgery after limping off during United's Emirates FA Cup quarter-final defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

"It's easy to say I could've had (surgery) earlier but if you're in the moment, you know your body well," Botman told newcastleunited.com. "When I first had the injury, I actually played a few games afterwards and felt fine in those. At the other end, you have to make a choice of feeling fine or having rehab for eight months or so. It was quite hard to make that decision in that moment.

"I had some problems before but, for me personally, it wasn't enough to have surgery. I was struggling with my knee and after the Man City game, I knew it was over for me. I think, for one reason, it might have been good that it happened so I'm now over that and it's done."

Botman's impressive start to life on Tyneside, following his move to St. James' Park from Lille in the summer of 2022, saw him earn the nickname of 'Rolls Royce' after his consistent displays at the heart of United's backline.

Named in every matchday squad of United's 2022/23 campaign, starting 35 Premier League fixtures in his debut season whilst securing Champions League qualification after a top-four finish, Botman would face a prolonged spell on the sidelines due to his injury struggles the following term.

"It's definitely the longest time I've been out," he explained. "I don't think there's any other injuries where you're out for as long as that. It's been a physical challenge but also a mental one. The first few weeks were fine after I went back home (to Amsterdam) for rehab and training. I then went to a training centre in Portugal for a few weeks and you then close yourself down from being around the team.

"From the moment I returned to Newcastle, it became really hard in terms of seeing the guys going outside for training and always having to work on your own, running by yourself on a different pitch to your teammates. You always have one eye on them, which was difficult.

"After a few weeks of rehab, you'd feel really positive about everything and then be really negative for a few weeks, struggling mentally. It was quite a tough ride but, at the end, it does make you stronger."

After months of individual work conducted at Newcastle United's Benton-based Training Centre, aided throughout by first-team physiotherapist Steve Megson, Botman completed light training alongside his teammates for the first time since his injury last week and expressed his appreciation towards those close to him whilst enduring an unprecedented long-term setback.

With recoveries from ACL injuries ranging from between six to even 12 months, Botman is doing his utmost to return as soon as possible but relished the involvement with his footballing peers as he continues his build-up towards full fitness.

"I'm doing very well and I'm getting close now," he said. "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."

Despite being a heavily valued member of United's first-team squad, watching his teammates' sessions at times and being in regular conversations with players and staff, Botman admitted that a vast amount of self-work and belief has also been formed over a difficult and durable period.

"The support from everyone around me has been key because, in rehab, you're by yourself," the Dutchman added. "Other people can drag you through certain situations but, at the end, it's how you deal with it personally.

"I just had to motivate myself. You can say that other people can help you but, at the end of the day, it's down to you. Doing what I love to do most is playing football and you can only do that when you're fully fit. It's easy to say you need to work hard but that is what it comes down to.

"At the moment, I feel I'm stronger mentally because I hadn't experienced that dark side of football until now. You can only be more grateful and positive after such a period like this."

Despite his absence from a football pitch, Botman and his partner, Chana, welcomed the birth of their first child in August and the defender believes the arrival of his daughter Giulia, born in Newcastle, brought comfort in otherwise difficult circumstances.

"It was really special," he reflected with a bright grin on his face. "It was amazing to welcome our first child and it was something really positive in a bad situation so it helped me get over a few things. "You're constantly doing your rehab everyday so to come back home and see my baby gave me positive energy. You could say she is a little Geordie.

"Some days or weeks can have you feeling down and seeing my daughter brought that smile back on my face. She gave me those positive vibes, especially during such a long rehab."

It is clear Botman lives and breathes football and his determination to return to footballing action is evident as he approaches the final stages of a testing spell on the sidelines.

A footballer "obsessed with keeping clean sheets", Botman played an instrumental role in United's top-four finish during the 2022/23 season, as the Magpies conceded 33 Premier League goals, a club record, as well as recording 17 shutouts across all competitions and the prospect of playing once again has entered the centre-back's mind on multiple occasions.

"It's what I've been thinking about the last seven months and it would mean a lot," he added. "Playing football is something I love to do and when you're injured for such a long time, you feel like you're standing still when other people are moving forward.

"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."

Botman still managed, despite his injuries, to feature in some memorable fixtures for United last term, keeping a clean sheet at the San Siro during a UEFA Champions League stalemate against AC Milan, following the Magpies' 20-year absence from the competition, as well as scoring his first goal in an 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, equalling the club's record Premier League win.

With Eddie Howe's side currently situated one point adrift of the division's top four and targeting a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals next month, Botman is keen to make a positive mark on his return at a key stage of the current campaign.

"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 said.

"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."