ROCK BOTTOM AND BACK!

Sven fan Howe says: His qualities will help make us even better

- BY IAN MURTAGH

IT already promises to be Newcastle's best season since the club won the title way back in 1926/27.

With their trophy drought over after winning the Carabao Cup and the Magpies in the driving seat to qualify for the Champions League, the campaign will live long in the memory of the Toon Army.

But, in an ominous message to their rivals, manager Eddie Howe (above) reckons it would have been even better had Sven Botman played a more prominent role.

The Dutch defender has made only four league appearances this season and is pushing hard for a recall at Brighton today after 12 months of injury torment.

Howe believes he has been badly missed despite the fine form of Dan Burn and Fabian Schar at the heart of the backline.

While it promises to be a busy summer in the transfer market at St James' Park, the head coach believes the return of a fully fit Botman will be the biggest boost of all.