Tino Livramento has been dealt a crushing injury blow after the full-back limped off late in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup quarter-final with Fulham.
The England international has already spent eight weeks out this season with a knee ligament injury, returning at the beginning of November.
However, he went down in the 74th minute of the game nursing a fresh problem before the Newcastle physio entered the pitch to try and treat the issue.
It appeared to be another knee injury, with the physio bending the 23-year-old’s leg back and forth as he reacted with grimaces.
Livramento rose to his feet gingerly before hobbling off the field, looking dejected as he was replaced by youngster Alex Murphy.
Eddie Howe couldn’t allay fears of another major problem, saying: "It doesn't look good. The fact he came off is a worrying sign and we're so stretched in that area it would be a problem."
He missed 10 games this season across October and November after sustaining his initial knee injury against Arsenal at the end of September.
It meant he missed the October international break with England and depending on the severity of the injury, this latest setback could hinder his chances at ensuring his place on Thomas Tuchel’s plane for next summer’s World Cup.
Knee injuries go beyond his Newcastle career for Livramento, whose biggest spell on the sidelines came after suffering an ACL tear for Southampton in 2022 which left him out for a year. His problem against Fulham did not appear that serious.
In a change of fortunes for the Magpies, Livramento’s makeshift replacement at right-back, Lewis Miley, popped up with the winner against the Cottagers, rising from a corner to head home in stoppage time and seal a 2-1 win for the cup holders as they progressed to the semi-finals.
