Eddie Howe has effectively ruled Valentino Livramento out for the rest of Newcastle's season, while Fabian Schär remains far from certain to return. That leaves Newcastle with a thin defensive group for the final three Premier League matches, starting with Nottingham Forest away on 2026-05-10.
Howe's latest update on Livramento and Schär
Howe was clear enough on Livramento. “Tino is doing well. He is really improving and running on the grass again. I don't think we will see him again this season,” he said. He also said: “We could maybe push him for the Fulham game but that would feel silly. I think let's him recover and get a good summer behind him.”
That is the more cautious reading of the two, and it feels the stronger one. Livramento has made 17 Premier League appearances, so his absence strips another regular out of the back line, even if Howe left the door ajar for Fulham.
Schär is less clear-cut, but the signs are still not great. Howe said: “Not 100% sure. His situation was slightly unique. He was very close to returning to full fitness but then picked up that infection. He is building up his strength and resilience again.” He added: “He is looking a lot more positive in his body at the moment but whether or not we will see him on the pitch this season we will wait and see.”
The infection matters because Schär suffered it last month after trying to battle back from an ankle injury. He has still made 16 Premier League appearances this season, and losing that sort of experience right now is a problem.
What Newcastle have left to work with
The timing is awkward for Newcastle, who are 13th on 45 points after 35 Premier League matches and have one win in their last five league games. Their remaining fixtures are Forest away on 2026-05-10, West Ham at home on 2026-05-17 and Fulham away on 2026-05-24.
There is at least one more defensive option in the squad. Kieran Trippier has 19 Premier League appearances, which gives Howe a senior fallback if the line keeps shifting. Leo Shahar's only appearance of the season came in Newcastle's 3-2 win over Qarabag in the Champions League play-off round, which underlines how thin the cover has been all season.
Howe has not said Schär is definitely done, and the Fulham game remains the one possible opening for Livramento. But the more likely reading is simple enough: Newcastle go into the final three games without two players they would rather have on the pitch.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
