Howe admits Newcastle defender 'a long way off' returning

Eddie Howe has admitted Sven Botman's Newcastle return is still "a long way off".

Botman last featured for Howe's side in last season's FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City before undergoing surgery on a long-standing knee injury problem.

The 24-year-old recently made steps towards his Magpies' comeback after being spotted in first-team training earlier this week ahead of their trip to Brentford.

But Howe insists that while Botman's return is progressing, it remains a lengthy process.

"I think it is a long way off at the moment," admitted the Newcastle boss.

"But certainly if and when Sven returns at his best level he will be a brilliant addition to the squad. Then it will be up to me to find the right balance in the team.

"It is not something at the minute that is in my conscience thinking, my conscience thinking is very much the next few games and step by step.

"Sven was a massive player for us and I don't think you can underestimate how much we've missed his certain qualities that he brought to us.

"He is a great lad as well, he is really popular in the dressing room as well so he has got a lot of key attributes we have missed."

Howe also revealed Newcastle will be exercising caution on the Dutchman's return.

He added: "It has to be right for Sven and he has to build up in the right way and we have to look after him. It is not an easy injury or a simply injury to recover from.

"He is now in the final stages and we have to manage him well.

"We certainly don't want to make a mistake in the last few weeks."

Newcastle could potentially move up to sixth in the Premier League with a win over the Bees.

📸 George Wood - 2024 Getty Images