Tino Livramento's gratitude to Lee Carsley goes beyond his first call-up to the England national team

The 21-year-old Newcastle defender was one of four uncapped players given the nod as the England Under-21 coach ushers in the post-Gareth Southgate era in the Nations League against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Livramento has long been considered a favourite for a call-up, but suffered a major setback along the way: a serious injury ended his breakthrough season at Southampton after leaving Chelsea in 2021.

It took 392 days for the full-back to return from his anterior cruciate ligament injury and he made just one more substitute appearance for the Saints before moving to Newcastle last summer.

Livramento has broken through after a promising first season at St James' Park and will now get his first chance at the senior England team in the first games under Carsley, for whom he played at Under-21 level.

When asked if he had any idea that he could be in this squad, the full-back said: “No, I didn’t know anything.

“The fact that Lee was appointed senior coach was of course a good opportunity for me as I knew him.

“But I think it's up to you as a player how you play for your club every weekend. I think that's the main thing. I think I've started well this season, so this is a good opportunity for me.”

Livramento will never forget the call from Carsley on the way to training last Thursday, nor his support during his frustrating injury layoff.

“He's obviously a great coach, but as a person he's someone who's kind of been there for me,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He had similar injuries and stuff like that, so he helped me a lot when I was going through that part of my career.

“You know, they keep me updated, they keep texting me and asking how I'm doing. It's hard to find someone like that in football.

“You know, someone who is there for you and helps you when you are going through difficult moments.”

A slow, steady return to fitness meant he was unable to play in the U21 European Championships under Carsley last summer, and he now begins a new chapter after Southgate ended his reign in charge of England.

Kieran Trippier, a loyal player of those eight years, announced his retirement from the national team last Thursday, just hours before his Newcastle teammate Livramento was called up.

“He was a great help to me – not only in terms of football, but also because he helped me settle in,” said the 21-year-old about the veteran.

“It’s hard when you go from one of the southernmost clubs to one of the northernmost, so he helped me settle in straight away.

“On the pitch, the level is of course completely different.

“Someone I look up to and watch every day at practice and try to incorporate parts of his game into my own.”