The two full-backs have left Newcastle down to the bare bones but a return date is now on the horizon
Newcastle United's Tino Livramento (left) and Lewis Hall
Newcastle United's Tino Livramento (left) and Lewis Hall(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has had some encouraging updates on injury-stricken duo Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento.
The former Chelsea youth stars have missed the last handful of United games due to injuries picked up on first-team duty. Livramento went off after suffering a knee injury in the defeat at home to Arsenal, while Hall tweaked his hamstring against Union SG in the Champions League.
Livramento is making good progress after being instructed by medics to wear a brace on his knee, while Hall had better news on a second scan after initially being handed a gloomier comeback date.
Howe said: "Tino is on the grass for the first time today, and he’s making really good progress, so we’re really happy with him.
"Lewis is the same, he’s doing really well. He’s been on the grass for a while and is pushing himself. He’s done back-to-back sessions now. He’ll hopefully not be too far away now."
Both stars are pencilled in for November return dates with Hall expected to be slightly ahead of Livramento. Whether Hall is included in the squad for the away trip to West Ham a week on Sunday remains to be seen.
Hall has already missed a month of action with the injury coming at a time when he is eager to impress Thomas Tuchel and games before the World Cup squad is announced running out. Livramento has missed 10 matches because of the knee issue suffered against the Gunners.
Livramento had previously suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury at Southampton, leading to deeper fears on Tyneside. Like Hall, Livramento is trying to impress Tuchel ahead of next summer's World Cup.
Howe had spoken of how much of a big miss he would be for his club, and said: "He's such a big player for us in so many different ways - his versatility, his attitude, his quality.
"If we're going to miss that for any length of time, it is going to be a huge blow."
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