ARMANDO Broja revealed that he has not spoken to best pal Tino Livramento too much about his injury yet, but added: “He is happy with himself at the moment and trying to stay positive.”

The 19-year-old England under-21 international has been watching Saints from the sidelines over the last two weeks as he battles a meniscus injury in his knee, following a stellar breakout 2021.

Livramento played each of the first 18 Premier League matches in succession but now the club are unsure if he will need surgery, which keeps some players out for up to a year, to solve the concern.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl gave a positive update that Livramento was in individual training and showing no signs of reaction to the knee or new fluid build-up – but there will still be some way to go in the process.

Daily Echo: Tino Livramento has not featured for Saints in 2022 (Pic: Stuart Martin)Tino Livramento has not featured for Saints in 2022 (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Broja and Livramento have grown up together in Chelsea’s academy and are close friends, but they have not spoken in depth about the concern.

“Yeah I’ve obviously spoken to Tino recently, he’s a bright lad, always laughing and giggling with me so he is one of my best mates,” Broja told the Daily Echo.

“I haven’t spoken to him too much about the injury, but he is just happy with himself at the moment and trying to stay positive.

“I’m not sure how long to be honest with you, I haven’t really spoken to him about that, that’s for the doctors and the staff to decide.

“But he is just a happy guy so, you know.”

Hasenhuttl has been asking for updates on the teenager’s condition and could have more information when faces the press on Friday morning.