Botman, Trippier, Wilson: Newcastle United latest injury update and return dates ahead of Chelsea clash

Newcastle United have suffered an ongoing injury crisis that seems to have hampered Eddie Howe’s attempts to build on their surprise fourth place finish in the Premier League two seasons ago.

After the likes of Sven Botman, Lewis Miley and Callum Wilson all spent significant time on the sidelines throughout last season, the opening months of the current campaign have already seen the Magpies boss having to contend with several high-profile absences. Slowly but surely, there have been some United stars returning to contention in recent weeks - but there still remains a number of players that are still some weeks away from battling for a place in the Newcastle side.

This is how Newcastle United’s current injury situation looks, ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash with Chelsea this Sunday:

Callum Wilson

The Magpies striker is yet to feature this season after suffering a back injury during the summer. That came on the back of the England international missing a large part of the second half of last season with a pectoral injury. However, there have been positive noises Wilson is ready to return to contention and there was some expectation he would be in the matchday squad for the 1-0 home defeat against Brighton last weekend. However, speaking after the game, United manager Howe said of Wilson: “He's close, he's trained and looked really good, but collectively, we have to make a decision based on the long-term interests of Callum, and we don't want to push him too early. Let's see how he does this week.” Predicted return date: 27th October 2024

Kieran Trippier

It has been a strange season for Trippier after he was linked with a move to clubs in Serie A, the Turkish Super Lig and the Saudi Pro League throughout the summer. The former England full-back also appeared to lose his place in the Magpies side as Tino Livramento seemed to jump ahead of him as part of Howe’s preferred back four. Trippier was working his way back into favour when he suffered a hamstring injury that Howe has suggested will keep him out of action for ‘a few weeks’. Predicted return date: Mid-November 2024

Martin Dubravka

The Slovakia international goalkeeper seems to remain Howe’s preferred backup to regular number one Nick Pope despite the summer additions of Nottingham Forest stopper Odysseas Vlachodimos and Birmingham City veteran John Ruddy. Dubravka picked up a knee injury that kept him out of matchday squads for the draw at Everton and the home game with Brighton. However, the experienced stopper is expected to be back in contention for Sunday’s visit to Chelsea. Predicted return date: 27th October 2024

Sven Botman

The Netherlands defender made a major impact during his first season on Tyneside as he helped the Magpies qualify for the Champions League for the first time in two decades. However, his second season at the club was brought to a premature end when the former Lille star suffered a serious knee injury that is likely to keep him out of action until the final weeks of the year. Magpies boss Howe has revealed Botman is not yet back in training but described a possible Christmas return as ‘the reality’. Predicted return date: Late-December 2024

Jamaal Lascelles

The Magpies club captain was starting to re-establish himself as part of Howe’s side last season when he stepped into the side following Botman’s injury. However, in a cruel twist of fate, Lascelles suffered a similar injury to his fellow centre-back and is also expected to return at the back end of the year after confirming he should be ‘back on the grass and jogging in the next few weeks’. Predicted return date: Late-December 2024