21-year-old Newcastle player subbed off at half time last night by his country, no sign of injury

21-year-old Newcastle player subbed off at half time last night by his country, no sign of injury

Newcastle United fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation that all is well with Tino Livramento.

The defender has been away with the England Under-21s during the international break, starting both games as Lee Carsley’s side beat Serbia and Northern Ireland.

But while Tino Livramento played the full 90 minutes against Serbia, he was replaced at half time at Goodison Park on Tuesday night as the young Three Lions won 3-0.

He was replaced by Brooke Norton-Cuffy, who is currently on loan at Championship side Millwall from Arsenal.

 

It was curious to see Livramento replaced at the break, and an update from journalist Lewis Steele who was at the game should provide Newcastle fans with some relief.

 

Following the substitution, he posted on X: “Newcastle’s Tino Livramento subbed off at half-time in England U21s match. No sign of an injury. Has played 135 minutes this week.”

Newcastle need Tino Livramento to start on Saturday
With Livramento seemingly showing no sign of injury on Tuesday night, that should mean he is good to go this weekend when Chelsea arrive at St James’ Park.

That is vital, as Eddie Howe is struggling for players enough as it is. He isn’t going to have a left-back to face Chelsea, with Dan Burn and Matt Targett injured and Lewis Hall ineligible to face his parent club. It therefore means one of Livramento or Kieran Trippier will have to play out of position.

Hopefully this was a pre-planned substitution, with the England Under-21s simply managing Livramento’s minutes as he prepares for a busy winter. That would make sense, as we must remember that the youngster has not long returned from a year-long injury.

 

Newcastle are bracing themselves for two games a week between now and Christmas, as they compete in three separate competitions.

 

It is going to be absolutely relentless, and it will test the Toon squad to its absolute limit. That is worrying, as it already felt like it was going beyond that limit before this international break.