Eddie Howe has allayed any fears about an injury for Lewis Hall – but the news is not so positive on Tino Livramento.
Both full-backs are in the frame for England’s World Cup squad but were taken off as Newcastle United put in yet another abject performance on Saturday.
Who was Newcastle United’s biggest flop against Bournemouth and why? 😡
Adrien Truffert celebrates after scoring for Bournemouth against Newcastle United.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Indeed, Hall and Livramento came off as Newcastle United lost to Bournemouth. The former made way at the break, while the latter came off in the second half.
Newcastle and England could certainly do without injuries to either and while Hall’s fitness is not a concern, Livramento’s is.
Hall not injured, Livramento suffers “huge blow”
Speaking after the game, the Newcastle United manager said of Hall’s substitution: “That was tactical.”
On Livramento, meanwhile, Howe added: “For Tino that’s a huge blow for him and for us.”
All opinions welcome but I would LOVE to know how you think Howe can turn this around….
It's the same thing every week!
A graphic with the statement: "Prove me wrong - Eddie Howe has taken Newcastle as far as he can." Image shows Eddie Howe during Newcastle United's Premier League game against Bournemouth.
Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster
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Anthony Gordon is another injury concern, too. Much was made about the fact he didn’t get in the squad against Bournemouth amid mounting transfer speculation, but Howe confirmed a hip injury ruled him out of Saturday.
Tino Livramento comes off injured during Newcastle United's Premier League game against Bournemouth.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
The winger is also a doubt for next weekend’s trip to Arsenal.
Howe said: “With Anthony, we’re unclear. I don’t think it’s a long-term injury, whether he makes next week, I don’t know. We’ll have to see how he goes in training.”
The news on Hall is positive at least. Hall has been one of Newcastle’s best players this season and the idea of playing Dan Burn at left-back is a major concern.
Quite how Newcastle plan to line up against Arsenal next weekend is unclear. Nothing Howe does is working right now, and the prospect of a mounting injury list is hardly welcome.
Truthfully, Newcastle just need the season to end right now. They are limping over the line and are lucky this run didn’t start earlier, otherwise fears of a relegation battle would be far more prevalent.
This whole season has been a reality check. It literally cannot end quick enough, even if there is a difficult summer to come in the transfer market.
Five games to go before supporters – hopefully at least – see a very different Newcastle United.
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