It’s been a tough few weeks on the injury front for Newcastle United.
Tino Livramento is set to miss another seven weeks after a knee injury suffered at home to Arsenal, then we saw another full-back sidelined as Lewis Hall ended last Wednesday’s 4-0 win at Union SG with a hamstring complaint.
Eddie Howe fears that Hall’s latest issue will not be a ‘short-term’ injury, meaning 33-year-old Dan Burn has been filling in at left-back over the past few games.
After Sunday’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Howe discussed his options at left-back beyond Burn, namechecking Under-21 talent Alex Murphy as someone who is “developing all the time” and able to “play that role for us.”
The club opted to keep Murphy on Tyneside this season, rather than sanction another EFL loan. He spent last season with Bolton and has made three appearances for our Under-21s so far this term, with his only senior outing coming at the end of our 4-1 win over Bradford in the Carabao Cup.
“We’ve got Alex Murphy who is developing all of the time who can play that role for us. But beyond that, I don’t think we have too many others.”
“There is not too many options, I wouldn’t say. I haven’t got a rabbit in the hat that you probably wouldn’t have thought of. It is a concern for us, because it’s such a key position.”
Howe then praised Burn’s display at left-back in recent wins over Forest and Union SG, also talking up Livramento’s underrated ability to switch sides seamlessly.
“I think Dan has played really well in the last two games. But we’ve got players who can switch side, although that’s difficult.
“Tino made that look very easy, but it’s very difficult to do. Some players probably feel more comfortable doing that than others.”
Perhaps Kieran Trippier is one of the players he refers to who can “switch side”, having done so before for England, although the 35-year-old is needed at right-back for now.
Should Burn need a rest or miss out in the coming weeks, a back-up
