Newcastle will be without striker Callum Wilson for another extended period after he suffered a setback on his return from injury.
The former Bournemouth player has managed just 66 minutes in the Premier League this season and is expected to be out for several more months.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: “I really feel for Callum. We see the work, the dedication and professionalism that he’s shown. Not just in the recovery from this injury, throughout his career really.
“For me he is an inspirational player and I think when you are in these moments, for him, you have to understand how difficult this season has been for him.
“He’s had a couple of setbacks when he’s looked so close to training and playing regularly and building resilience that his body needs to perform. He’s not cut corners, he’s gone through a vigorous process to try and keep himself fit.
Eddie Howe on Sven Botman:
“He’s been training consistently now for around four weeks but that was the plan. We are taking medical advice and trying to follow the right protocols for the injury he’s had to try and make sure we give him the best chance to stay fit. The plan is… pic.twitter.com/IDiERxG84T
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 13, 2024
“When you see him not get the end result this time, I feel really sad for him but I back him to come back again and have the mental resilience he will need to fight again because we know his qualities and we’re desperate to see him play again.”
Goalkeeper Nick Pope is also a doubt to face Leicester this weekend with a knee injury.
‘Every season you have difficult spells’
Newcastle go into the weekend in 12th place – just five points off fifth – and have conceded at least three goals in their last two Premier League games.
But Howe is backing his side to recover, starting against Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side.
He said: “Every season you have difficult spells within it.
“When you’re not winning consistently and you’re not in your best rhythm, it’s difficult but you have to find solutions and we’re trying to do that.
“This week we have spent a lot of time seeing what tweaks we can make and how we can improve different functions of the team, that never stops.”
