Newcastle's worst fears confirmed on Tino Livramento injury: Results on scan revealed

Newcastle defender Tino Livramento is facing up to eight weeks out with a hamstring injury.

Daily Mail Sport can reveal that scan results have confirmed what the club feared and they will be without the England full back during a busy period of two games per week between now and March, including both legs of the Carabao Cup semi final against Manchester City.

Livramento was forced off during the second half of Newcastle’s FA Cup tie with Bournemouth on Saturday and boss Eddie Howe said afterwards that the problem did not look good.

Subsequent tests have shown damage serious enough to keep the 23-year-old sidelined for between six and eight weeks. If his recovery goes well, he could be back around the start of March, in time for a potential Carabao Cup final and England’s final two friendlies before Thomas Tuchel names his World Cup squad.

Livramento’s loss is a huge blow for Howe and comes at a time when Newcastle are down to four fit defenders, given injuries to Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth. They must now assess whether to enter the transfer market and bring in cover.

The club are exploring a recall for defender Matt Targett, currently on loan at Middlesbrough.

Newcastle have an option to do so, but it is thought Targett would prefer to remain on Teesside and play regular football, especially with his contract set to expire this summer.

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