Newcastle coach laments defensive crisis after Livramento setback
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has conceded that the club’s defensive resources are severely depleted after Tino Livramento was sidelined for up to two months with a hamstring injury.
The defender was forced off during Newcastle’s dramatic FA Cup penalty shootout victory over Bournemouth on Saturday.
Livramento had only just returned earlier this month from a knee injury, with Howe admitting he was “absolutely devastated for him because he’s worked so hard to come back”.
The 23-year-old, who has earned three England caps, now faces a race against time to regain fitness ahead of the March international fixtures against Japan and Uruguay.
His absence further compounds Newcastle’s problems at the back, with Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth already unavailable.
“Defensively we’re really stretched,” Howe admitted after his side’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
“We’re pinning our hopes on Dan being back pretty soon.
That would give us a massive lift and, of course, the transfer market is still available to us.”
Burn, who suffered a broken rib and punctured lung in the derby defeat to Sunderland, could make a return before the end of the month.
Howe may also consider recalling left-back Matt Targett from his loan spell at Middlesbrough, while the club still has two-and-a-half weeks to explore options in the transfer window.
Although Newcastle have funds available, any January additions could affect their plans for the summer window, where Howe believes there may be better quality and value available. He has already questioned whether the “right player” can be secured mid-season.
At present, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Kieran Trippier and midfielder Lewis Miley—who has deputised impressively at right-back—are the only senior defensive options available ahead of Sunday’s trip to Wolves.
A demanding run of fixtures then follows, with Newcastle set to face PSV, Aston Villa (twice), Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Manchester City, Brentford and Tottenham within a 24-day period.
[BBC]