MANAGER Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted “I am not that happy” with the inclusion of Tino Livramento in England’s under-21 squad for this international break.

The 19-year-old defender could feature at Vitality Stadium, the home of AFC Bournemouth, when the Young Lions welcome Andorra in European Championship qualifying on Friday, March 25.

He is then set to travel to Albania for a second fixture on Tuesday, March 29, with Saints returning to Premier League action with a trip to Leeds United that same weekend.

Livramento, who has already made three appearances for the England side but had to miss the November camp through injury, could still be feeling the effects of a meniscus injury at the end of 2021.

Daily Echo: After completing 90 minutes at West Ham, Tino Livramento missed the next five Premier League matches (Pic: PA)After completing 90 minutes at West Ham, Tino Livramento missed the next five Premier League matches (Pic: PA)

After making five appearances on his return from the knee concern, the former Chelsea starlet was then left out of the squad for the defeat to Watford with Hasenhuttl stating that he needed a rest.

Now, the Austrian reveals that he is going to warn England of his fitness status, suggesting that after that injury Saints are now having to manage his workload – which could be a worry for supporters.

“To be honest I am not that happy with his selection because in the past we had made the experience that, at the moment, two or three games in a row is not the best for his knee,” Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo.

Daily Echo: Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl and Tino Livramento (Pic: PA)Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl and Tino Livramento (Pic: PA)

“This was the reason why we were so careful managing his game time. But I understand that it is for him also a big thing to play for England, even if it is under-21.”

He continued: “Hopefully they know this also and handle this, we will definitely have a chat with them about the amount of minutes he should play.

“In the end, it shows that he has done a good job.”

Daily Echo: Tino Livramento will hope to make a good impression on the England setup (Pic: PA)Tino Livramento will hope to make a good impression on the England setup (Pic: PA)

Livramento’s meniscus injury did not require surgery like first feared, which could have kept him out for much longer than the seven weeks he was sidelined this year.

It came after the youngster had started each of the first 18 matches of the Premier League season. He was the first teen to do so since Micah Richards for Manchester City.

Livramento is still listed as an outsider for the PFA Young Player of the Year award – testament to the impact the Cobham product has made after just 45 minutes of pre-season minutes with Saints.

Saints will hope that the need for a managed work-load is a temporary consequence of his injury, and not indicative of damage going forward in his fledgling career.