EDDIE HOWE admits Tino Livramento is not yet fully-fit, and does not know if the defender will be able to feature in Newcastle United’s weekend game with Sheffield United.
Livramento was an unused substitute at Selhurst Park this evening as Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half double condemned the Magpies to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.
The full-back came off the bench in the victory over Tottenham that preceded Newcastle’s blank weekend, but is still struggling with an ankle injury that has plagued him for much of the second half of the season.
READ MORE:
- Newcastle's European hopes suffer a blow as Jean-Philippe Mateta fires Palace to victory
- Player Ratings: The Newcastle player who 'gave the ball away cheaply' - and one who should have started
The issue has not cleared up during the Magpies’ ten-day break, and it is not yet clear whether or not Livramento will be available to feature at St James’ Park on Saturday.
“Tino is still struggling with his ankle,” said Howe. “That’s why he didn’t come onto the pitch. He was there for an emergency, really.
“Can he play at the weekend? I’m not sure. We certainly don’t want to give him a longer-term problem. He’s technically fit enough to be able to enter the pitch, but it’s sort of high risk.
“We want to make sure that we don’t give him a longer-term problem, but in terms of what happens moving forward, it probably depends on what other players I have available.”
Callum Wilson returned from injury at Selhurst Park, coming off the bench to replace Harvey Barnes in the 65th minute.
The striker was unable to alter the course of the game during his time on the field, but he came through his substitute appearance unscathed and Howe expects him to play a increasingly-influential role in the remaining five games of the campaign.
“He’s huge,” said the Magpies boss. “He’s a big player for us. To have that option from the bench was a rare luxury for me really, to have a striker who can come on and make a difference.
“I think he did, I think he improved our performance and did well. He looked fresh and strong, and he’s come through with no problems so that’s a big positive for us.”
Newcastle’s defeat means they remain in seventh position, but are now three points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United. If Manchester City win the FA Cup, or if Manchester United lift the trophy and also finish in the top six, then a top-seven finish will be good enough for the Magpies to secure a place in Europe.
“It’s still very much in our control of what we do,” said Howe. “We can have a really successful season.
“We’ve been really consistent in the last four games, where we’ve delivered big efforts to get results, but this feels like a flat feeling, that we haven’t delivered that. We have to take accountability for that, and make sure the uncomfortable feeling we’re encountering now, we put right on Saturday.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel