Eddie Howe reveals what Tino Livramento must do to start for Newcastle United v Arsenal

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Dan Burn has been Newcastle United's starting left-back for 18 months but there have been calls to start Tino Livramento instead.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is facing further calls to start Tino Livramento against Arsenal after Dan Burn again came under-fire during last weekend's 2-2 draw at home to AFC Bournemouth.

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Burn's spot at left-back has been a big topic of conversation in recent weeks. It is an area opposition teams have appeared to target with the Magpies conceding four goals to Luton Town plus two against Nottingham Forest and AFC Bournemouth.

Recalling Livramento has been discussed as the obvious solution but Howe insists it isn't just as simple as rotating the two with lots of other factors to consider.

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Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to the Emirates, Howe said: "There is a lot more than goes into that from my perspective in terms of choosing the team because tactically it has an impact. Lots of other areas of the game it impacts. But I’m also looking at how the players train as well and what they’re doing during the week to prove they should start.

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"It’s an interesting area of the pitch but I’ve got more decisions than that to make, I’ve got decisions in every position probably bar midfield at the moment and it’s great to see that competition for places return."

Livramento's last start was the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool on New Year's Day and his time out of the starting XI has coincided with Burn's return from a back injury.

Asked by NewcastleWorld what Livramento as to do to start games, Howe replied: "I see him (Livramento) as a full-back who can play both sides.

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"What does he have to do to get in the team? Every team he enters the pitch he has to play well, which he has in my opinion, and he needs to continue to train well. That's all he can do."

The 21-year-old has made 26 appearances for Newcastle since arriving from Southampton for an initial £32million in the summer. While Livramento has played the majority of those games at left-back, the England under-21s international is viewed as a long-term replacement for Kieran Trippier, who turns 34 in September.

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