SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento of Newcastle United interact after the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United FC at St Mary’s Stadium on January 25, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
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Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe says both Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon are very close to a return from injury and could face Manchester City at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Gordon missed the defeat to Brentford before the international break with a hip injury, while a knee problem has kept Livramento out since the defeat to Arsenal on September 28. Both have trained and could feature against City.
Livramento’s return would be particularly well-timed, with Dan Burn suspended after his red card against Brentford. Newcastle has been exposed defensively at fullback without the England star and his team-mate Lewis Hall, while also lacking a huge component of its attacking plan. Hall is fit again too.
“Anthony is very close,” Howe told reporters on Friday. “He’s worked well during the break and he’s touch and go for the game. We’ll make a very late decision.
“[Livrament0] is very close,” Howe added.
“He’s trained in the international break which is great to see. He’s such an important player for us and it’s great to have him back training with the group. He’s done a lot of work.
“He’s been very, very good professionally with how he’s dealt with the injury and the work he’s done with the physios so I’d say he’s in good shape.”
Frustration at the lack of certainty over striker Yoane Wissa’s return from a knee injury is growing among supporters. Howe was once again unable to confirm when he would make his Newcastle debut after a £55m ($72m) move from Brentford in the summer.
“He’s working well. He’s not back training with us yet but he’s close. He’s working with the sports science team and almost entering a pre-season with them currently. He’s done a lot of work, he’s looked good and looked better with every session.
“He’s close to training with us but before he gets to there it’s difficult to give a return date.”
Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall collide with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Goncalo Guedes during the Premier League match at St. James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Picture date: Wednesday January 15, 2025. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images)
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Why Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento are crucial to Newcastle United success
Lots has been made of how static Newcastle has looked this season, and even more said about its lack of goals in the wake of Alexander Isak’s departure for Liverpool.
Nick Woltemade has been a bright spark since joining from Stuttgart. The wingers, like the potentially returning Gordon, need to step up and contribute more, but Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes each scored in the last two games, which could be a sign og improvement.
Fullback has been the big unspoken issue outside of Newcastle in recent weeks. Hall has not been fully fit since February having broken his foot before a hamstring complaint, while Livramento has become one of Newcastle’s most important players, first at right-back and then on the left.
In both players’ absence, Burn has been targeted out wide and it was only a matter of time until he cost Newcastle. Although an excellent centre back, his height and lack of pace – now at the age of 33 – leave him susceptible to being exposed. Kieran Tripper, now 35, has similar issues on the right.
If they play together, Hall and Livramento will give Newcastle more security in defence with their recovery pace, but their energy in attack will also offer a new dimension.
In both directions, missing two key players has hampered Newcastle. There have been other issues contributing to a difficult spell in the Premier League.
While the likes of Gordon, Wissa and Woltemade have been more in focus, the extent of Livramento and Hall’s impact will become apparent when they return.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/harrydecosemo/2025/11/21/newcastle-united-set-for-huge-fullback-boost-ahead-of-man-city-clash/
