Magpies still sweating on Botman for crunch clash

NEWCASTLE United boss Eddie Howe admits that the Magpies are sweating on the fitness of Dutchman Sven Botman ahead of Sunday's trip to Arsenal, writes LEE RYDER.

- LEE RYDER

Botman limped off against Chelsea after 55 minutes, but Howe has played the setback down as “just a knock,” although the player was scanned and was being assessed again yesterday.

Howe was keen to stress that Botman - who has missed 59 matches in the last two seasons - was not suffering from a serious injury. Howe, speaking ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium, said: “It was a knock and he got a bang on his knee. We are not sure about Sven's availability at the weekend. We will give him every chance to be fit.