Banned Sandro Tonali in line to return to Newcastle action AHEAD of schedule following shock announcement
SANDRO TONALI can make his Newcastle return next Wednesday following his ten-month betting ban.
The 24-year-old Italian midfielder was suspended last October for breaching gambling rules.
His ban ends next Tuesday, meaning Toon’s £55million July 2023 buy from AC Milan had first expected to be available for their next Premier League game against Tottenham on September 1.
But it has now been confirmed that Newcastle’s Carabao Cup second-round clash at Nottingham Forest will take place on Wednesday, August 28 — live on Sky Sports — so Tonali is free to play.
Having trained with the Newcastle squad during his ban, boss Eddie Howe may see the City Ground as the perfect place to reintroduce him to action.
Howe has spoken about Tonali and revealed that he is currently fit.
However, the former Bournemouth manager has admitted that Tonali will need to play in order to get his match fitness back.
He said: “Physically, he’s very fit, he’s in a really good place.
“He just hasn’t had the matches and the game sharpness that you can only really get from games.”
The Magpies started the season with a 1-0 win over Southampton despite losing Fabian Schar to a red card.
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The defender was dismissed for headbutting Ben Brereton Diaz in the first half.
The club are also being linked with moves to strengthen the squad before the transfer deadline.
Marc Guehi is a top target, and Crystal Palace have rejected four bids from Newcastle for their star defender.
The knockbacks have seen the Toon search for alternatives, with Liverpool’s Joe Gomez an option.
Meanwhile, Barcelona‘s former Manchester City star Ferran Torres is a target.
However, it is believed that the Spanish forward is keen on staying at the LaLiga giants.
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