Livramento has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a hamstring injury
Genoa defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy (R) could be the perfect alternative for injured Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento
Genoa defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy (R) could be the perfect alternative for injured Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento(Image: Getty Images)
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Newcastle United were rocked by news earlier this week that Tino Livramento is facing up to eight weeks out with a hamstring injury.
The Magpies right-back had only just returned from a spell out of the side with a knee injury but had to be replaced in the second half of the FA Cup win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
Tests have revealed the England international will miss between six to eight weeks of action with Newcastle playing across the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup during that period of time.
Livramento's injury has added to a growing defensive injury crisis at Newcastle, with Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles all out with injuries.
It has left Newcastle with only four fit senior defenders to choose from in Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall, although midfielder Lewis Miley has given them another option after deputising as a right-back in recent weeks.
"Defensively we're really stretched," Howe said following Newcastle's 2-0 defeat in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City on Tuesday.
"We're pinning our hopes on Dan being back pretty soon. That would give us a massive lift and, of course, the transfer market is still available to us."
That admission that they could dip into the transfer market for defensive reinforcements is telling and sporting director Ross Wilson is on record as saying the Magpies have the ability to spend money this month, providing it aligns with their long term summer transfer plans and doesn't hamper their PSR situation.
With that in mind, using DataMB's player similarity generator tool to bring up players with similar characteristics to Livramento, one very interesting alternative has emerged in the top five players most like the 23-year-old.
Genoa right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy has impressed in Serie A across the last 18 months after leaving Arsenal to kickstart his career in Italy.
The 22-year-old decided to leave North London after loan spells with Lincoln, Rotherham, Coventry and Millwall but has excelled since moving to the Luigi Ferraris Stadium.
The England under-21 international, who can play as a right-back or a right-wing-back, has been an ever-present for Genoa this season and his performances have caught the eye of a number of clubs this month.
Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan are said to be monitoring his situation, while Everton, who are said to be in the market for new full-backs this month, are also believed to be keen on a move.
Norton-Cuffy is under contract at Genoa until the summer of 2029 and are said to be holding out for a fee in the region of £26million.
Given Newcastle's defensive injury situation, as well as the fact Norton-Cuffy's best years are ahead of him, it could be a move worth thinking about for the club's decision makers.
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