Eddie Howe's team news update: Livramento injury, Hall latest

Livramento was forced off in the closing stages of the quarter-final tie at St. James' Park and Howe confirmed the England international, who began his playing career at Chelsea, is set for a spell on the sidelines until the New Year.

Ahead of Saturday's visit of Chelsea (kick-off 12.30pm GMT), the Magpies head coach also provided an injury update on Lewis Hall, who joined Newcastle from the Blues on a permanent basis in the summer of 2024, as well as targeting a fifth consecutive home win against the West London outfit.

Here are some of the boss' main talking points from Friday morning's pre-match media briefing at the Newcastle United Media Centre...

On Tino Livramento, with the right-back withdrawn during the Magpies' Carabao Cup quarter-final victory against Fulham...

"We don't think it's a serious injury. The complication we have is that Tino has injured that knee before in a very similar area.

"That always makes the potential recovery time a little bit longer. I don't think we'll see him possibly before 2026."

On Lewis Hall's availability to face his former club...

"He could be [available for tomorrow]. He felt some fatigue in his hamstring after the Sunderland game so he had a scan which didn't reveal too much so we'll see."

On Alex Murphy, with the Irish defender making his Premier League bow against Chelsea during the 2023/24 campaign...

"In an important moment for the team, Alex did really well. He's someone who has trained with us for a long time but hasn't had any major game exposure with us.

"He's had a lot of training time, a lot of development and a good loan spell (at Bolton Wanderers last season). He's someone we trust and performances like that will do him good for the long term."

On facing Manchester City in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup...

"I don't think there was an ideal draw for us with the quality of the teams left. Our preference would have been to play at home in the second leg as we did last year. That was the bigger thing rather than the opponent.

"It is what it is, we're in a major competition and you're going to play the top teams. We had to do that last year, having to beat everyone to win that cup, and we're going to have to do the same again."

On Saturday's opponents...

"I think they're progressing and continuing to get better. There's been a lot of change at Chelsea over recent seasons. They've gone very youthful with their recruitment and I think long term, you'll definitely see the benefits of that.

"A very good manager, style of play and team. It's a short recovery time for us, a big challenge this week but we're looking forward to that. We like the early kick-offs so anything we can do to help swing this in our direction is important."

On Lewis Miley...

"Lewy did really well on Wednesday. Really pleased with him. Great goal, great composure and a strong performance. Every game is so different tactically, the challenges posed by every team is different so I'll have to try to pick the right team."