Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson has admitted that Newcastle United defender Sven Botman is one of the toughest players he has ever faced.
The 19-year-old has played 50 Premier League games for the Seagulls and knows a thing or two about coming up against some of the best defenders, naming the Newcastle star as one of the best he has come up against.
“Who are your three toughest opponents?” Ferguson was asked by ESPN.
“Three toughest, I would say Camavinga, Saliba and Botman of Newcastle,” Ferguson replied.
Botman has been on the injury sidelines since he got ruled out for between six and nine months with an ACL injury back in March.
While the six-month mark has now passed and the Magpies defender is back on the grass and stepping up his recovery, he is not expected to return to action until around December.
Newcastle have coped without the Dutchman but manager Eddie Howe could do with him right now as he looks to lead his side to a top-four finish after a disappointing seventh-place finish last term.
The Toons currently sit seventh in the Premier League table after picking up 12 points from their opening seven games, and they host Brighton at St James’ Park when action resumes after the international break on October 19.
Ferguson will be pleased to be facing a Newcastle side without Botman, but a tough game is expected given the similar form of both clubs.
Brighton, like the Toons, have three league wins, three draws and a defeat so far in 2024-25, and they will be desperate to leave SJP with all three points.
Newcastle have played with Fabian Schar and Dan Burn as their first-choice centre-back pairing in the absence of Botman, and the duo will fancy their chances of shutting out Brighton and Ferguson.
