Newcastle United is going through a tough time right now. Eddie Howe’s team is getting ready for a big Champions League match against Union SG, but there are still questions about Tino Livramento’s injury and rumours about transfers. According to the top online casinos UK The Toon are 20/1 to win the Champions League this season. The women’s squad, on the other hand, is having a hard time starting the Women’s Super League 2 season. They have lost three games in seven days, which shows that the new players are having trouble fitting in. The club is looking to add to its squad, including a custodian. This article looks at the latest news on Livramento, Howe’s recruitment ambitions, the women’s team’s early problems and the bigger picture for a key week in Belgium.
The injury to Livramento is making it hard to be ready for the Champions League.
Newcastle United arrived in Belgium on September 30, 2025, for their UEFA Champions League match against Union SG, planned for October 1 at 5:45 PM. Eddie Howe talked about worries over right-back Tino Livramento’s knee injury at a news conference before the game. Livramento, who is 22 years old, was taken off the field on a stretcher after a 2-1 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League on September 28. Howe said that the team is “still waiting for feedback” on how bad the injury is, and they are being careful to prevent speculation. The knee is still swollen, therefore a second medical opinion is needed. However, the first tests reveal that it is not another tear in the anterior cruciate ligament.
Howe stressed the need for patience, saying, “I’m better off waiting before saying anything about that, because I think that could be a mistake.” Let’s wait and see what happens in the following few days. Livramento’s absence is a big loss because he played 32 games last season and was a major part of Howe’s high-pressing approach. The team is keeping a tight eye on his recuperation and thinks he will be back soon. However, the uncertainty makes things tense before a match when a win might boost morale after losing to Barcelona in the Champions League opener.
Trafford is the focus of squad boosts and transfer targets.
Howe’s preparations feature a good note: Fabian Schär’s return to the squad after a 12-day concussion protocol. Howe remarked, “The squad is in a good place, except for Tino.” He mentioned a quick trip and an afternoon training session. “Fabian is back on the team.” This strengthens the defence for the Union SG game, where Newcastle wants to build on their Champions League qualifying even though they had a rough start to the season.
Transfer action looms huge, with Howe considering squad reinforcement. The team wants to sign Burnley’s James Trafford as a long-term replacement for Nick Pope, who has been linked with a move away from the club. Reports dated May 31, 2025, say that Newcastle might pay too much for Trafford when Burnley gets promoted to the Premier League since they see him as the perfect replacement. The deal is hard because Burnley wants a lot of money, but Howe is still interested, no matter what league they are in. Trafford, who came up through the Manchester City system, has 27 clean sheets in 38 Championship games, which is impressive. His ball-playing skills fit Howe’s style of play.
People have lauded Pope, 33, for his “giant presence,” but injuries and questions about his distribution have made some people mistrust him. A vital win in May 2025 won praise for a save, but the team wants young players in goal. Other targets include Marc Guéhi of Crystal Palace for defence and Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford for offence. There is talk of a £150 million budget because of the Champions League monies that PSR will no longer have to pay. Liverpool is interested in Anthony Gordon, who is worth £100 million. If he leaves, it might speed up bids for Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, either on loan or permanently, although his wages are a problem.
The Women’s Team’s Rocky Start: Problems with Early Struggles and Integration
Newcastle United Women’s start to the 2025/26 Women’s Super League 2 season has been tough. They are in ninth place with four points from four games. Three losses in seven days, two in the league and one in the League Cup against Nottingham Forest, have made some wonder if the team is working well together. Becky Langley, the head coach, knows that things will be hard, but she says, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” The team’s summer transfers, which happened at the beginning and end of the season, have left them still getting used to new players.
The most recent loss was a 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic on September 28 in front of 2,128 supporters, the same day as the men’s Arsenal match. United held their own but lost on a penalty kick in the 58th minute. Demi Stokes, the captain, fouled Katie Bradley, who then scored past Femke Leifting. Langley applauded her team’s ability to bounce back, saying they made chances to win or tie, but the result made them think. Fans are posting on social media about their frustration and asking for patience while the integration process proceeds.
Langley’s message is clear: it’s OK to have problems at first. It will take time for the team to get used to all the new players, but the goal is to develop momentum. Langley wants to get the most out of the club, starting with the mid-table finish in the 2024/25 season and working up to the League Cup clash against Nottingham Forest and league games.
A Very Important Week Ahead: Union SG and More
Howe’s team plays Union SG on October 1. If they win, it will finish a “nightmare seven days” that featured a loss to Arsenal and a loss to Barcelona in the Champions League opening. Howe sees the loss to Arsenal as a “motivator, not a hangover,” and he wants the players to learn from their late mistakes. They have only won one of their last six league games. The game against Union SG is a chance to reset, and Schär’s return will help the defence stay strong.
The Nottingham Forest League Cup loss is the last straw for the women’s team, but Langley is still hopeful. The club needs to be strong since it is working on two fronts: getting men into the Champions League and rebuilding the women’s league. Fans on social media show their support by posting things like “Fingers crossed on Tino and for tomorrow night’s game against an in-form Union SG!” These posts show the hope that comes with hard times.
Newcastle’s Strength: A Season of Hope
Newcastle United’s week of problems hides their true potential. The men’s team, which has more money from the Champions League, is looking at Trafford and other players to help make Howe’s ambition a reality. The women’s team is become more consistent as they add new players. The club is focused on staying together and growing as it deals with injuries and moves. Newcastle is still a powerful team that can change the game now that they have a spot in the 2024/25 Champions League.
