Why Demigod Still Has An Outside Chance Of Playing For Newcastle Against Wolves On Saturday.

Newcastle United now know exactly how long Sandro Tonali’s ban for betting will be.

 

It was confirmed on Thursday that the 23-year-old will be suspended for 10-months, after being investigated by the Italian Football Federation for betting.

Sandro Tonali will still be able to train with Newcastle and play in friendlies during his ban, which is a huge boost to Eddie Howe.

But the Newcastle manager must now deal with the prospect of losing his marquee summer signing for the rest of the season, which is devastating. It is even more difficult to stomach when you remember that Harvey Barnes is still out of action until next year.

It is going to be a very difficult period for Tonali, but he has already seen that he will receive the full backing of the club and the fans. He received a wonderful ovation against Crystal Palace, in what looked like it would be his final game before his ban.

However, he was able to come off the bench during the Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Instead, that game looks likely to be Tonali’s last – although there is actually a very slim chance that he could still be involved 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.