Sven Botman's reaction to returning to Newcastle United training and Howe's mind-blowing record

Sven Botman has taken a significant step back towards full fitness after rejoining Newcastle United back on the training field.

The injury-plagued Dutchman has not featured since March in the FA Cup quarter-finals against Manchester City when a decision to go under the knife was finally taken following a couple of aborted attempts to play on through a serious knee injury. Understandably, head coach Eddie Howe tried to manage expectations on Botman's return on Friday, citing January as a sensible return date.

But Botman, still just 24, was keen to deliver a more upbeat message to supporters posting on social media: "First training today great feeling to be back out there with the team."

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The former Ajax defender's return is eagerly anticipated by team-mates and fans alike but Howe had said at his weekly press conference: "We hope Sven can begin light training in the next few weeks. If we see him before the end of the year, that would be a bonus. We are probably looking at more like January."

The mind-blowing Eddie Howe statistics that underline why PIF already feel they have the right man in the job at Newcastle

Howe celebrated three years in the job on Friday and joked it felt "good" to still be in the hotseat despite some tricky moments of late. Anybody doubting he is the right man for the job need only look at his 48% win ratio in the dugout at St James' Park with only Kevin Keegan bettering it during the Premier League years.

Club chiefs don't need to be reminded that Howe's record is also up there with that of Sir Bobby Robson with two consecutive top 10 finishes and three successive Carabao Cup quarter-finals on his impressive recent achievement list. But when compared to the rest of the Premier League teams since taking over, Howe's stats are breathtaking.

With 190 points banked in 113 games, Howe's record is seven points better than Man United, eight better than Aston Villa and 17 better than Chelsea. Newcastle also have more points than Brighton (160) and Brentford (145) since his first game. Only Spurs (197), Arsenal (240), Liverpool (244) and Man City (273) have more.

Paul Dummett swaps the terraces for EFL

The former Newcastle defender was celebrating his move to Wigan on Friday after being handed a deal until January and squad number 45.

Dummett, 33, has been without a club since he was released by Newcastle last May but he has never stopped supporting his old team-mates. Indeed, Dummett has been at most matches at St James' Park and even took a place on the terraces for the 0-0 draw at Everton.

But he was lacing his boots back up on Friday to train with League One Wigan and is now aiming to earn a new deal with the Latics beyond January. Having seen moves to Sheff United and Portsmouth break down it hasn't been easy for the Academy product.

Speaking after putting pen to paper at the Brick Community Stadium, formerly the JJB, Dummett said: "Signing for Wigan Athletic is something I'm delighted to do. It’s a Club with rich history and a brilliant, young squad that I can hopefully help progress up the league during my time here.

"It's a move that has been in the works for a little while and one that had to be right for myself after being at Newcastle for such a long time, but after speaking to the Gaffer, who outlined his plans and where he sees the Club going in the future, I was excited to sign and hopefully bring my experience to this journey."