Dan’s the man for Howe – but will he stick or twist to Tino?

football club,” Howe said after Saturday’s 4-4 draw at Luton Town.

“He played a huge part in our brilliant season last year, and our excellent defensive record. Four days ago, I thought he was magnificent against Aston Villa.”

Burn did indeed enjoy a solid performance away at Villa Park last week, days after picking up the Man of the Match award in the FA Cup win over Fulham. His towering presence was one of the reasons he was then selected to deal with set-piece specialists Luton, along with the fact Howe doesn’t like to shift from his usual back four of Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Burn.

However, one negative to the big man’s game is a slight lack of pace. Opposition sides have often targeted Newcastle’s left with a rapid right-sided attacker, as seen by Luton’s game plan in recent days.

The Hatters’ right winger, Chiedozie Ogbene, had a field day down that flank on Saturday, earning the penalty for his side’s third goal after being brought down by Burn.

Livramento was introduced into the game with Newcastle 4-2 down and helped shore up the home side’s defence as a comeback was successfully launched. His pace is a huge positive and he can be used in a number of roles on either flank, at either end of the pitch.

But now the likes of Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes are back in contention for Newcastle and Howe has more attacking options at his disposal, there is less need to keep Livramento benched as a possible makeshift forward option off the bench.

With Forest coming up this weekend, Howe has a big decision to ponder in the coming days. Does he bring Tino back in from the start at left-back?

Looking back to the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, there is an argument for the ex-southampton star being drafted back in that role.

Anthony Elanga, Forest’s right winger, got the better of Burn on a number of occasions when the teams met on Boxing Day as Newcastle’s defence collectively struggled during a second-half capitulation.

Livramento has hardly put a foot wrong since arriving in the summer, with many scratching their heads as to why he has started just one of the last eight matches in all competitions.

The Chelsea academy graduate is also proving more than comfortable when used on the left despite limited experience on that flank.

His attacking exploits help the team in transition and he has offered stability in his most recent midgame introductions.

The topic will dominate headlines all week, will likely be brought up at Howe’s pre-match media briefing on Friday and will be the discussion of choice in pubs around the country before Saturday’s clash.

The Newcastle boss has a big call to make. Stick with his favourite back four despite recent struggles? Or give some supporters the change they are calling for?

He played a huge part in our brilliant season last year, and our excellent defensive record