[Daily Mail’s Craig Hope](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15198663/Newcastle-Confidential-Craig-Hope-Wissa-Anderson-Wilson-transfers.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490) has provided updates on both Lewis Hall’s and Tino Livramento’s injury statuses, offering new insight into Newcastle United’s defensive outlook.
Regarding Hall, Howe previously revealed the full-back required a second scan after suffering a hamstring problem during the Champions League victory over Union Saint-Gilloise on October 1.
While the manager gave no definitive return date, Hope reported that Hall was initially given a six- to eight-week prognosis. But, significantly, he adds that some of that timeframe has already passed and that the second scan “was more positive,” raising the possibility of a return before the November international break.
On Livramento, whose knee injury from September had already ruled him out for a long spell, Hope said that losing both England-qualified left-backs simultaneously is a “damaging” blow.
However, Hope rightly noted that Dan Burn’s consistency and reliability will likely help Newcastle cope. For the time being, Burn is expected to start regularly at left-back, and Kieran Trippier might also cover there on occasion.
Hope specifically flagged the question of squad depth, especially in relation to Lewis Hall’s absence:
“Alex Murphy is well liked by Howe, but the question remains as to whether he has sufficient faith in the 21-year-old … to use him in the Premier League and Champions League,” Hope wrote.
Hope also praised the centre-back pairing of Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw, saying their “brilliant partnership” offers defensive stability while Hall and Livramento recover.
See More:
* [Newcastle United Team News](/newcastle-united-team-news)