SVEN BOTMAN is set to return to Newcastle United’s starting line-up for tomorrow’s Premier League home game with Wolves.

Botman sat out Tuesday’s FA Cup win at Blackburn Rovers, having struggled during the previous weekend’s defeat at Arsenal.

Eddie Howe has admitted the centre-half is still suffering from the after-effects of the knee injury that left him on the sidelines for three months earlier in the season, hence his decision to leave him out of the squad at Ewood Park.

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However, with Newcastle returning to Premier League duty at the weekend sitting in tenth position in the table, Botman is set to be restored to the starting side.

“Sven is looking good,” said Howe. “We just felt with Sven, he would benefit more from training than playing. He’s another player that’s come back from a longer-term injury. He’s come back into the team, but we just felt he needed more individualised training to get back to his very best. We could definitely see him (against Wolves) though.”

Alexander Isak and Joe Willock should also be in the starting side tomorrow, having come through their respective returns from injury unscathed in the last couple of weeks.

“They’re getting there,” said Howe. “I think Alex will get there with every game. His situation is slightly different to Joe. Alex has had a groin problem three times now, so I think naturally there’s maybe a feeling that he needs confidence in his body, and needs confidence physically with how he’s performing in the games.

“Prior to his last injury against Aston Villa, he was looking really good, then out of nowhere, and with no real action, he felt something again. I think these two games (against Arsenal and Blackburn) have been really good for him, to help him feel that his body is strong. Certainly, all the work behind the scenes has been good, and I’d like to think he’ll improve with every game from this point onwards.

“Joe is slightly different, just because of the length of time that he’s been out. Of course, we’re trying to nurse him back to full fitness and trying to get him back to full fitness as quickly as possible. I think that will take a period of time before he’s back to his very, very best, just because of the length of time he’s been out.

“It’s difficult to put a timeframe on it, but he’s certainly got qualities that we need, even if he’s not 100 per cent fit. Even in the last two games, you’ve seen his qualities.”