Newcastle United shock as player seen walking with ‘a limp’ during pre-season camp

Newcastle United fans expressed early injury concerns during the club's pre-season camp in Austria after observing a player with a heavily strapped knee. This comes as the team prepares for a busy pre-season schedule ahead of the Premier League opener against Aston Villa, including the inaugural Adidas Trophy match against Celtic this Saturday (potentially featuring Anthony Elanga's debut) and subsequent tours to Singapore and South Korea, before concluding with the Sela Cup against Atletico Madrid.

The player identified with the strapping was defender Sven Botman. This caused particular worry due to Botman's significant recent injury history; he missed 10 months of the 2023/24 season after tearing his ACL and required further knee surgery in January, though less severe than the initial injury.

Fans voiced their concerns on social media (platform X), noting Botman appeared to have a limp and commenting on his injury-prone status. Reactions included fears he wouldn't be injury-free, hopes it was merely precautionary, calls to sign a new centre-back urgently, questions about the bandage, and worries that his season start might be delayed until January.

However, the reports clarify that there is no new injury. The strapping on Botman's knee is a precautionary measure, and he is expected to wear it throughout much of the upcoming 2025/26 season as part of his management plan.