Sandro Tonali was a notable absentee from Newcastle's open training session this morning
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali (Image: Iain Buist/Chronicle Live)
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Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali was not involved in the club's open training session ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash against Benfica.
Tonali was not present in front of the broadcast media, as per an update on Sky Sports, during the Magpies' final training session at the club's Benton training base and there are now concerns he could miss the clash against the Portuguese giants.
The Italian international picked up a knock on international duty during the Azzuri's win over Israel and Eddie Howe said last week Newcastle would monitor his fitness ahead of Saturday's trip to Brighton.
Tonali subsequently started the 2-1 defeat to the Seagulls and lasted 70 minutes before he was replaced by Jacob Ramsey at the Amex Stadium.
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Howe will speak to the media at 4:30pm this afternoon in a press conference at St James' Park where he will give an update on the 25-year-old's condition.
Newcastle are already without Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento and Yoane Wissa through injury ahead of the visit of Jose Mourinho's side on Tyneside.
Should Tonali miss the clash, Ramsey, Lewis Miley and Joe Willock will all be on standby for a recall to the starting XI in midfield.
Newcastle head into the game with one win and one defeat under their belts in the Champions League so far. The Magpies were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona in a hard fought contest at St James' Park before cruising to a 4-0 win over Union SG in Brussels.
It means Howe's side begin matchday three in 11th place in the Champions League table, with the top 24 teams advancing from the 36-team league phase of the competition.
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