Magpies are already thinned out in defence and the full-back is a doubt for the fixture against Chelsea
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is sweating over the fitness of full-back Tino Livramento after the defender was forced off with a knee issue during the club’s midweek Carabao Cup win against Fulham.
Newcastle edged past the Cottagers 2-1 at St James’ Park to secure a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the third time in four years, but the victory was overshadowed late on when Livramento went down holding his knee.
The defender received treatment on the pitch before being withdrawn in the 76th minute and was later seen with ice strapped to his left knee.
The Magpies are already thinned out in defence. Dan Burn is in hospital with a fractured rib and punctured lung; Sven Botman, Emil Krafth and Kieran Trippier are all also out injured; and Livramento had been deployed at left-back because Lewis Hall was unavailable with a minor hamstring injury
Howe’s side have five games over the next 20 days, starting with Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea where the manager will have to improvise further. But there is still a chance that Livramento might be fit enough to play.
“It looks like a knee problem and Tino’s had issues with knee injuries before,” said Howe. “So the fact he had to come off and he’s such an honest, dependable lad – that sends worrying signs, really, for his participation maybe in the Chelsea game. Let’s wait and see.”
