Newcastle United are on the brink of receiving a huge lift that could completely change the direction of their season. Eddie Howe is set to welcome back two players who have been badly missed, and their return is expected to give the team a major push at a crucial stage of the campaign.
While Saturday’s clash with Manchester City may arrive just a little too soon for them, the coming weeks are shaping up to be very important, as Howe prepares to name Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall in his starting side for only the second time since February.
Newcastle have several big names whose presence defines the way Howe likes his team to play, yet the absence of both attacking full-backs has affected the side far more than expected.
These two defenders bring balance, pace, and creativity to the team, and without them, the structure of the entire system has felt incomplete. Hall has already shown his fitness during the international break with England Under-21s.
Though Howe will handle the 21-year-old carefully after his recent injury issues, there is growing confidence that the worst of his problems are behind him.
Livramento’s absence has also left a sizeable gap in the team. At first, he had been stepping into the left-back role to cover for Hall, proving his versatility and value. But since picking up a knee injury against Arsenal in September, he has not played a single match.
His return is expected this weekend, though a place on the bench seems more realistic after being out for two months. Even so, having him available again is a huge morale boost and gives Howe another strong option as the fixture list becomes more demanding.
It would be unfair to say that Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier have played poorly in their absence. Both have been reliable and hardworking, with Trippier continuing to provide leadership and Burn showing his usual discipline, even though he is naturally more comfortable in the centre of defence.
The issue is not about their performances but rather the qualities that Hall and Livramento bring which change the entire feel of Newcastle’s play.
For starters, the attacking wingers will immediately benefit from having energetic, forward-thinking full-backs behind them. Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy rely heavily on support that stretches the pitch, allowing them to push higher up the field and take more risks in the final third.
When defenders cannot double up on them because of overlapping pressure, Newcastle’s entire attack becomes more dangerous.
This also feeds directly into the team’s pressing game. Newcastle built their reputation under Howe with a relentless high press, but at times this season, it has looked flat or inconsistent. Part of that comes from the full-back positions.
When full-backs cannot advance high with confidence or cover the wide areas with intensity, the front line is forced to sit slightly deeper, and the structure of the press loses its sharpness.
With Hall and Livramento, the team naturally shifts into a more aggressive rhythm, allowing the forwards to press from a higher point. Sandro Tonali thrives in these moments because he reads transitions so well and becomes the perfect shield when full-backs push forward.
Newcastle’s long-term defensive vision also becomes clearer with their return. The club is building toward a back line featuring Livramento, Hall, Malick Thiaw, and Sven Botman four young, talented defenders who have the potential to grow together for many seasons.
So far, they have appeared as a unit only once, in the goalless draw at Bournemouth in September, where they looked solid and kept a clean sheet. Bringing them together again will help Howe establish the defensive identity he has been working toward.
Individually, Livramento and Hall already offer plenty. Livramento brings speed, fearlessness on the ball, and the ability to drive forward with purpose. Hall offers balance, smart build-up play, and the confidence to step into midfield when needed. But it is their combined effect on the team that cannot be underestimated.
They transform Newcastle’s build-up, sharpen the transitions, and give the attack the width and energy it has been missing.
Their return may not grab headlines the way a major transfer would, but in terms of football impact, it could easily be worth £75 million to Newcastle. These are players who fit perfectly into Howe’s system, and their presence changes the intensity, shape, and flow of the entire team.
If Newcastle are to push forward this season and regain their best form, the return of Hall and Livramento could be one of the moments that truly turns everything around.
