Newcastle player
Newcastle United is now aware of the duration of Sandro Tonali’s betting ban.
The 23-year-old will serve a 10-month suspension, it was confirmed on Thursday, following an Italian Football Federation investigation into his betting activities.
Sandro Tonali will continue to participate in training sessions with Newcastle and feature in friendly matches despite his suspension, providing a significant advantage for Eddie Howe. Nevertheless, the Newcastle manager now faces the grim prospect of losing his marquee summer signing for the remainder of the season, a situation made even more disheartening by the fact that Harvey Barnes won’t be available until next year.
The upcoming period is expected to be exceptionally challenging for Tonali. However, he has already experienced tremendous support from both the club and the fans. In his apparent farewell game against Crystal Palace, he received a warm ovation. Interestingly, he made a substitute appearance in the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund.
Regrettably, it appears that the Dortmund game could mark Tonali’s final appearance. Although there is an exceedingly slim chance that he might still play against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening.
Sandro Tonali’s ban is not worldwide just yet
According to the Telegraph, FIFA is yet to widen the ban to worldwide which means there is an outside chance that Tonali could be available to play for Newcastle this weekend.
However, the report does add that it is likely that FIFA will have widened it in time to ensure that he is unable to feature against Wolves at Molineux.
It would be a huge stroke of luck if Tonali is able to play on Saturday. But it does look unlikely, even if there is a slim possibility.
Newcastle to start the same trio against Wolves
With Tonali likely to miss out, Eddie Howe will probably stick with the midfield trio that started against Palace and Dortmund. Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have started the Magpies’ previous two games, and look likely to continue alongside each other.
Newcastle don’t have many other options, in truth. Tonali looks set to be banned, while Elliot Anderson is out with a back injury.
The Magpies’ only other alternative is Joe Willock, but it is surely too early for him to be starting after only just returning from a lengthy layoff.
