Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has revealed that Valentino Livramento's ankle injury is "not as serious" as first feared and he is hopeful that the full-back will make a swift return to the first-team fold.
Livramento was forced off in the second half of the Magpies thrilling 4-3 win over West Ham United in the Premier League last weekend after twisting his ankle following an awkward landing.
Winger Miguel Almiron was also withdrawn in the same game, just over 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute, after sustaining a knee injury.
Both players subsequently missed Newcastle's 1-1 draw with Everton on Tuesday and Howe said after the match that the Magpies duo could be facing up to a month on the sidelines.
However, Howe has since provided a positive update on the pair, suggesting that they will now only face a short spell in the treatment room.
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Newcastle handed Livramento, Almiron, Hall injury boosts
Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at Fulham, Howe said: "Tino's [injury] was quite obvious really when you look back at the footage. It's quite strange, really, when you see the ball just hit his ankle before he goes to plant it on the floor and it's twisted it to quite an uncomfortable angle.
"You can see from that that it looked quite painful. Thankfully it's not as serious as it could have been, and we anticipate he could be back quite quickly."
On Almiron, Howe said: "Miggy, I think on crossing the ball he got his studs caught in the turf and just tweaked his knee slightly. Again, not a serious injury, but enough to keep him out for a few days."
Howe has also confirmed that Lewis Hall is set to be available for selection despite sustaining a knock in midweek, adding: "We hope he's fine and will be back training today. We anticipate he will be part of that group."
However, two players who will not be involved for some time are centre-backs Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, who recently underwent successful knee surgery and are facing between six and nine months on the sidelines.
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Howe issues update on Lascelles, Botman and Wilson
Providing an update on Lascelles, who was forced off against West Ham last weekend, Howe said: "It's a big blow for us and of course for Jamaal. He's been excellent this season.
"Behind the scenes, he's been a key part of our leadership team. His standards on the training ground every day have been exceptional. It will be a big blow for us to lose him.
"I feel for him, because he's been in really good physical shape this year - he's looked really good. It was just one of those things - he's come together with Michail Antonio, I think he's taken a bit of his weight through the force of the tackle, and unfortunately he's ended up with a serious injury.
"One minute you're in the team, the next you've got a long period of rehab. He'll have low moments during that long stretch but he's got a good team of people around him and Sven [Botman], who is in a very similar position."
Callum Wilson is another in the treatment room and is facing a race against time to recover from a pectoral injury, picked up in mid-February, before the season comes to a close.
However, Howe has delivered a positive update on the striker's recovery, saying "He's looking good. He's doing the hard yards, running hard. Of course it's an upper limb injury so he's able to keep very fit and really look after his legs and build his strength. I anticipate when he comes back he'll be looking very good."
Meanwhile, Newcastle are also having to cope without Joelinton (thigh), Lewis Miley (back), Matt Targett (Achilles), Kieran Trippier (calf) and Nick Pope (shoulder), although the latter two are making positive progress in their recoveries, while Anthony Gordon is available to return from suspension to face Fulham on Saturday.
Oliver Thomas
