'This is what happens if you can't get a run of games' - Howey on Livramento

Tino Livramento’s lack of consistent game time in an injury-hit season has cost him his place at the World Cup, says former Newcastle defender Steve Howey

The full-back sustained a calf tear in the England camp on Sunday to add yet another issue to the growing injury record for the 23-year-old, and has now been replaced by Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah.

“It’s devastating for the lad because I think it’s a grade-two tear, so he’s got no chance,” Howey told BBC Radio Newcastle.

“It’s heartbreaking for him, so it must be really tough for him and his family because he’s done ever so well to get there but you know these things unfortunately do happen.

“This is what happens if you’re out and you can’t get a significant run of games to get that stability, to get that strength, that core strength. You’re very, very susceptible to picking up little, niggly injuries – hamstrings, groins, carves, thighs, your back, just anything.

“You just feel as though you’re always on the edge of picking something up. Especially, as I said, it could be little, niggly ones or it could be a long-term one.

“I remember Derek Wright [Newcastle’s former head physiotherapist] saying to me, I had three long injuries that kept me out and I need at least 15 to 20 games on the bounce. Then you kind of got that core strength in your body. But what tends to happen is five, six games – break down. Two, three – break down. 10 games – break down. And that seems to be what’s happened with him.”

Click play above to hear Howey draw from his own experience during the 1990 World Cup or listen on BBC Sounds here