Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed a significant injury blow as defender Valentino “Tino” Livramento is expected to miss approximately two months of action with a hamstring injury, exacerbating a deepening defensive crisis for the Magpies.
Livramento, a 23-year-old England international, was forced off in discomfort during the 59th minute of Newcastle’s FA Cup third-round victory over Bournemouth at St. James’ Park. Subsequent scans have confirmed a muscular hamstring problem, with the recovery timeline estimated at around eight weeks, potentially sidelining the versatile full-back until early March.
Manager Eddie Howe expressed his devastation for the player, who has worked hard to regain fitness. “Absolutely devastated for him because he’s worked so hard to come back and looked in really good physical shape,” Howe said in post-match comments.
He added, “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”.
This latest setback is a stark reminder of Livramento’s challenging injury history. The defender previously endured a year-long absence after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while at Southampton and has faced multiple subsequent knee and muscular issues since joining Newcastle.
Notably, this new injury comes just weeks after he returned from a separate knee problem that had kept him out until the New Year. At the time, Howe noted the complication of recurring issues, stating, “The complication we have is that Tino has injured that knee before in a very similar area. That always makes the potential recovery time a little bit longer”.
Livramento’s absence creates a major tactical and personnel challenge for Newcastle. The club is already without several key defenders, including Fabian Schar (ankle ligaments), Dan Burn, and Emil Krafth.
This leaves Howe with severely limited options, with Lewis Hall and the veteran Kieran Trippier now bearing increased responsibility on the flanks. The situation has intensified discussions about the club’s activity in the January transfer market.
Howe acknowledged the defensive shortages, saying, “The one area we didn’t want to lose players is defensively. We’ve lost two in very quick succession… We’ll discuss things on a daily basis and try and make the right decisions”.
The timing of the injury could hardly be worse for Newcastle, which remains active on four fronts. The team faces a relentless schedule, including a League Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City, Premier League commitments, and continued involvement in the FA Cup and Champions League.
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie noted that Livramento could miss as many as 15 crucial games during his estimated eight-week recovery. Furthermore, the injury may dent Livramento’s personal ambitions of securing a place in the England squad for upcoming international fixtures, with a call-up now considered unlikely.