Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed a significant new injury setback, with defender Tino Livramento ruled out of action for up to two months.
Livramento sidelined with hamstring problem
The 23-year-old full-back sustained a serious hamstring injury during the recent match against AFC Bournemouth. Scan results received this week have indicated a recovery period of approximately eight weeks, dealing a major blow to Howe's defensive options.
Livramento, who has been a versatile asset capable of playing on both flanks, will now miss a crucial run of fixtures. "Tino's information we only got confirmation this morning so we need to digest that and then see what we do," Howe admitted, speaking to the Shields Gazette.
Key fixtures missed during absence
The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Newcastle. Livramento's absence means he will be unavailable for both upcoming encounters with Aston Villa.
The Magpies host Villa in the Premier League on January 25 before travelling to Villa Park for an FA Cup fourth-round tie on the weekend of February 14. Even in a best-case scenario, he is highly unlikely to be fit for either match.
His spell on the sidelines will also see him miss other high-profile games, including:
- Two fixtures against Manchester City
- A Premier League trip to Liverpool
- A Champions League match with Paris Saint-Germain
- A league visit to Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle's deepening injury crisis
Livramento's injury exacerbates what has been a season plagued by fitness issues for Newcastle, particularly in defence. The club already has a lengthy list of absentees, including Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles, and Emil Krafth.
The problems extend beyond the backline, with versatile forward William Osula also out with an ankle issue.
To compound matters, the Magpies have a fresh concern after winger Jacob Murphy was forced off during the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg defeat to Manchester City with a recurrence of a hamstring problem.
Howe stated that Murphy's issue is not thought to be serious but requires careful management. "He's had a hamstring problem for a couple of weeks. He's had two scans that have come back clear so we're not quite sure what's going on with him," the manager explained.
With Livramento now joining the treatment room, Eddie Howe faces a severe test of his squad's depth during a pivotal period of the season.
