Full-back expected to be out for a long spell, says manager
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is concerned full-back Tino Livramento has suffered a serious injury after going off in the second half of the FA Cup game against Bournemouth.
Livramento was forced off on the hour mark, with Lewis Hall replacing him. Newcastle eventually drew 3-3 with the Cherries but progressed to the next round through penalties.
“It looks like a hamstring problem, which is always a worry when it’s a muscular problem,” Howe said. “Absolutely devastated for him because he’s worked so hard to come back and looked in really good physical shape.
“I’m not too sure on any other details other than that, but it’s going to be a blow. He’s obviously going to be out for a period of time.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Jacob Murphy was left out of the squad for the third-round cup game but Howe said it was only “precautionary”.
“He’s just been feeling a hamstring,” Howe said. “We think he’ll be OK for Tuesday night, but I think it was the right call just to make sure there’s no damage.”
With the window still open, and Newcastle missing Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and now Livramento in defence, there is a chance to look for reinforcements in the market.
“We’ll assess it on a day-by-day basis,” Howe said. “Obviously, the one area we didn’t want to lose players is defensively. We’ve lost two in very quick succession. So, let’s see. We’ll discuss things. Well, we do discuss things on a daily basis and try and make the right decisions.
“I think we need enough players to play the games. So when we need enough cover, because today unfortunately we’ve put a couple of the players at risk just with extra-time, and that’s every player on the pitch, then the injury risk goes higher the more you’re playing. So we’d love to have them enough bodies to lessen that risk, but at the moment we don’t have the options.
“We’ve got to make the right decision and we’ll have intense and detailed discussions to try and make sure we come to the right conclusions.”
