Newcastle suffer ANOTHER injury blow as Eddie Howe reveals Sven Botman is still struggling with a knee problem and could be a ‘long term’ absentee

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been hit with a fresh injury blow after revealing defender Sven Botman could join his list of ‘longer term’ absentees.

The 23-year-old has not featured since picking up a knee injury at the end of September and, while the problem was initially not thought to be serious, there is now no return date.

‘Botman is unclear at the moment,’ said Howe. ‘So we are going day by day with that one. There’s an issue there and we’re working through various options to try to diagnose the injury problem.’

Could he be missing ‘long term’?

‘Yeah, perhaps, we’re still awaiting clarity on what is happening with his situation,’ said Howe.

Eddie Howe is concerned Botman could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines

The Magpies are without six senior players ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Manchester United in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

Mail Sport revealed last week that striker Alexander Isak will be missing until after the November international break after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury. That leaves Callum Wilson as the only recognised frontman, and he is unlikely to play three games in a week given the need to manage his load. Winger Anthony Gordon looks set to fill in.

‘That was one of the reasons for signing Anthony, who can play as a centre-forward, which he did for England at the Euros and did a great job,’ said Howe when asked about alternative options in the position.

‘There are others – Harvey (Barnes) can play up there, although we don’t have him at the moment. Joelinton was also signed as a centre-forward, although we’ve moved his position.’

Newcastle have several players injured, with Alexander Isak also ruled out until after the international break

Did Howe and the hierarchy consider the effects of losing one of Isak or Wilson when planning their summer transfer business?

‘The trouble is, you’re sort of alluding to signing a third striker,’ he began. ‘We just didn’t have the resources to do that. You can only go with the information you have at the time. As much as you can have a crystal ball and try to predict what will happen, that is part of our job as well, you only have a certain amount of resources and you have to make the decisions you’re faced with at the time.’

Meanwhile, Newcastle are awaiting clarity on the situation surrounding Sandro Tonali, who has not been able to train with the team since being banned for 10 months for illegal gambling last week. The club hope he will rejoin the group during his suspension.

Tonali joins Barnes (foot), Jacob Murphy (shoulder) and Elliot Anderson (back) as players currently sidelined for significant periods.