Verdict in on Tino Livramento injury in more bad news for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United
Newcastle United have been sweating on the news on Tino Livramento after the England full-back had to go off injured during the Magpies' FA Cup win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
Tino Livramento had only just returned from a knee injury when he was thrown into the starting lineup against the Cherries on Saturday, but his afternoon was cut short when the England star pulled up with a hamstring injury.
It was clear by Livramento's reaction that it wasn't going to be something he could just run off in time for tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
The 23-year-old looked to be in tears as he walked off the field with Eddie Howe, saying after the game that Tino would be sent for scans to determine the full extent of the injury.
Tino Livramento is going to be out for up to 8 weeks
Craig Hope has now reported that the results are in, and they aren't great for Newcastle, with Tino expected to miss six to eight weeks while he recovers.
This must now surely force Newcastle into the transfer market this month to bring in more defensive reinforcements.
Fabian Schar is still weeks away from a return. We honestly can't see Dan Burn being at full capacity for a while after suffering a punctured lung and Jamaal Lascelles, whether he stays at the club or not, is neither use nor ornament at this point.
Newcastle must now make moves in the January transfer window
Granted, Newcastle aren't likely to dip into the market to bring in a right-back, but a right-sided centre-back seems like a necessity right now, or a left-back to cover Lewis Hall, especially now that Tino is out of action.
Eddie Howe said that the club would assess their injury situation before making any moves in the January market, but surely now this news has to force their hand.
It's understandable that Howe would like to downplay Newcastle's desperation so that selling clubs don't try and exploit it and take our eyes out, but our injury crisis is public record; they're going to know anyway. It's something they're just going to have to deal with.
