Eddie Howe is already sweating on Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon’s fitness.
Anthony Gordon was limping as he left Wembley after England’s 2-0 win over Albania on Friday night, and has since been withdrawn from the squad. However, it is reported that Gordon’s injury is not serious.
That is a boost for Eddie Howe, who cannot afford to lose any more players to injury ahead of the final 10 games of the season.
With that in mind, the Newcastle United manager will secretly be delighted that one of his players has been snubbed at international level.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Tino Livramento to miss England vs Latvia
Gordon will not play for England against Latvia on Monday night, and neither will Tino Livramento.
The 22-year-old defender was an unused substitute against Albania, but is not even part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the Latvia game.
Livramento, who is one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings ever at £32million, will be replaced by Jarrel Quansah. That means the Toon right-back’s international break is set to end with zero minutes played.
Tino Livramento was outstanding in the Carabao Cup final
That will not concern Howe too much. While he will obviously want his players to succeed at international level, he will also want Livramento to be fit for Newcastle for the rest of the season.
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That is vital, as the former Southampton player will be required at left-back due to Lewis Hall’s injury.
But while Livramento’s snub is secretly good news for Newcastle United, it does not make the decision any less baffling.
It comes after Livramento shut down Mo Salah during the Carabao Cup final. The Liverpool winger was barely involved at Wembley, with Livramento producing an incredible performance to keep the Egypt international quiet.
Despite that performance, Tuchel has strangely opted not hand Livramento another England cap.