Newcastles Livramento Sidelined Until New Year by Knee Injury

Newcastle United face a deepening defensive injury crisis after fullback Tino Livramento suffered a knee problem that will sideline him until the new year, manager Eddie Howe confirmed on Friday. The 23-year-old England international was forced off during the second half of the team's 2-1 Carabao Cup quarterfinal victory over Fulham at St James' Park on Wednesday, which advanced Newcastle to the semifinals against Manchester City.

Livramento, who had shifted to left back for the match due to Lewis Hall's absence, appeared to jar his left knee while turning. He received treatment on the pitch before being substituted in the 76th minute by 21-year-old Alex Murphy, making his fourth senior appearance for the club. Post-match images showed Livramento with heavy strapping and ice on the knee as he walked around the field.

Howe provided an update ahead of Saturday's Premier League home game against Chelsea, describing the injury as minor but complicated by Livramento's history in the same area. "We don't think it's a serious injury," Howe said in his pre-match press conference. "The complication we have is that Tino has injured that knee before in a very similar area. That always...