Eddie Howe has provided a very surprising injury update ahead of Newcastle United’s Premier League game against Leeds United on Saturday.
The Magpies have got Anthony Gordon suspended for the trip to Elland Road following his red card against Liverpool, while there were also injury concerns coming out of the defeat on Monday night.
Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Fabian Schar were all forced off, putting them at risk of missing the clash with Leeds United on Saturday evening.
However, Eddie Howe has actually shared some positive news on the fitness front.
Eddie Howe shakes Sandro Tonali's hand after he is substituted during Newcastle United vs Liverpool.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Eddie Howe provides positive Sandro Tonali injury update
Tonali came off against Liverpool with a shoulder problem, having initially played through the pain.
The expectation has been that he would miss Newcastle United’s game against Leeds, but that might not be the case after all.
During his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, Howe confirmed that the Italian midfielder has not suffered a serious injury and could be available for Saturday’s game.
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“Sandro’s injury isn’t serious, he is battling to be fit for tomorrow,” he said.
That is a huge boost, as Tonali is one of Newcastle’s most important players. However, it is a blow for Lewis Miley.
If Tonali is unavailable, the teenager would be the most likely candidate to take his place in the middle of the park. The 19-year-old has appeared off the bench in both of the Magpies’ games this season, with his last Premier League start coming in February 2025.
Whether Joelinton or Fabian Schar will play for Newcastle United against Leeds
While Tonali has a chance of featuring against Leeds, the news on Joelinton’s injury is not quite as good.
The Newcastle United manager has confirmed that Joelinton will be unavailable, but the hope is that he will be back immediately after the international break.
The Magpies’ first game after the upcoming break is at home to Wolves on 13th September.
Team-news from Eddie Howe ahead of #LEENEW:
"Relatively good news on both players [Sandro Tonali and Joelinton], when they left the pitch we feared they may be out long-term. Joey’s scan was good but he will miss this weekend, we'll hopefully get him back for the game after the… pic.twitter.com/eUMIzJWUz2
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 29, 2025
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The 29-year-old’s absence should result in Jacob Ramsey coming into the starting XI. He was impressive off the bench against Liverpool, and Toon fans will be excited to see what he is capable of as a starter.
Joelinton is ruled out of the Leeds game, but Schar is available for selection.
Schar went off with a head injury against Liverpool, and there were fears he had suffered a concussion. However, that does not appear to be the case, with Howe confirming that the 33-year-old is fit to feature against Leeds.
That will likely result in Malick Thiaw remaining on the bench. He was primed to make his first Newcastle United start against Leeds, but this Schar update makes that suddenly less likely.