Young duo knocking key man for Howe at

NEWCASTLE United boss Eddie Howe is certain to try to dial down the noise surrounding his selection options at left-back for Saturday night’s clash at the City Ground.

The verdict of many observers is that Dan Burn should be swapped for Tino Livramento at left-back after a troublesome spell for the lad from Blyth against Luton Town after two incidents involving the ex-brighton star led to the Hatters going 4-2 up at St James’ Park.

In the immediate aftermath of the eight-goal encounter, Howe was quizzed on Burn’s presence in the team with some fans actively calling for the Livramento/burn swap during the game.

Questions were not just asked of Howe’s selection process on Saturday, they were also directed at the media for a lack of posers directed at the head coach in his left-back area.

Only, Howe has been asked a few times about his actions in that area already, by me and other reporters.

You can go back to the buildup to the 8-0 win over Sheffield United when The Chronicle asked Howe when fans could expect to see Livramento and Lewis Hall get their opportunities.

Then Howe stated the pair were players for the future but he also underlined the method in which he picks his teams.

Back then he said: “I will always pick a team that gives us the best chance of winning.”

Hall’s continued lack of opportunities has also been a recurring theme in Howe’s press conferences. He was asked about Hall’s role on November 1 when he explained he was still “adapting” to life at St James’ Park.

Hall does not turn 20 until next September and he responded to questions that very night when scoring a cracker in the 3-0 win at Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

Since being subbed at Bournemouth in a 2-0 defeat, Hall hasn’t started a game and has been restricted to cameos under Howe.

Questions on Hall continued into December too and it emerged that Howe felt he wasn’t quite ready to start every week, he said: “He’s got certain things to learn defensively, which we’re working on with him.”

Howe then said on New Year’s Eve that Hall’s future at Newcastle was “down to him” but he still rated him highly. The left-back questions have never been in short supply, and in fairness to Howe he has always responded with thorough answers on the situation.

It’s worth remembering that Livramento had barely played as a left-back before signing for Newcastle from Southampton. So while he can operate there, it’s not his primary position and therefore, Howe may not be convinced he is the long-term solution at left-back.

Maybe it could be argued that Hall’s future is not definitely nailed down at left-back either with Howe using him as a left-midfielder and left-winger at times.

With both Livramento and Hall classed as youngsters in the Newcastle squad, Burn’s experience and seniority is one of the big reasons why Howe prefers him in his starting line-up.

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

Eddie Howe with Dan Burn and, far right, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall