Image source: bbc.com
Newcastle United face a defensive crisis after Tino Livramento was ruled out for up to two months with a hamstring injury sustained during Saturday’s FA Cup penalty shootout victory against Bournemouth, with head coach Eddie Howe admitting his squad is “really stretched” in defensive positions.
Livramento Hamstring Blow Leaves Newcastle Desperately Short of Defensive Options
The 23-year-old defender hobbled off during the dramatic FA Cup win and subsequent scans revealed the extent of the hamstring problem that will sideline him until late March. Livramento had only recently returned from a knee injury earlier this month, prompting Howe to express his devastation for the England international who “worked so hard to come back” from his previous setback.
The injury leaves Livramento facing a race against time to prove his fitness before England’s March internationals against Japan and Uruguay. His absence compounds Newcastle’s defensive problems, with Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth already sidelined through injury, severely limiting Howe’s options across the backline.
Speaking after Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, Howe acknowledged the severity of his defensive shortage. The manager confirmed the club are “pinning their hopes” on Dan Burn returning soon from his broken rib and punctured lung suffered in the derby defeat against Sunderland, though Burn could return before the end of January.
Newcastle retain options to recall left-back Matt Targett from his loan spell at Middlesbrough, while two-and-a-half weeks remain in the transfer window for potential reinforcements. However, Howe has questioned whether the “right player” is available mid-season, with the club weighing the impact of January spending against better summer market opportunities.
The defensive crisis leaves Howe with just Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Kieran Trippier and midfielder Lewis Miley as available senior defensive options for Sunday’s trip to Wolves. Newcastle then face a grueling fixture list including PSV, Aston Villa twice, Paris St-Germain, Liverpool, Manchester City, Brentford and Tottenham over 24 days.
