Newcastle United's Italian star needs to shake of lethargy that almost saw Tottenham Hotspur grab equaliser
Sandro Tonali was a second-half substitute against Tottenham
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Sandro Tonali's place as a first choice starter in the Newcastle United squad is under serious threat - though he may be rescued by a major injury setback.
Tonali was named among the substitutes on Tuesday night at Tottenham Hotspur having played 87 minutes against Brentford a few days earlier. He was one of four changes as Eddie Howe made the decision to freshen up his side in a bid to find a winning formula away from home.
Howe's pre-match comments were telling - hinting that Tonali is among what he considers his best players. Speaking before a ball was kicked, the Magpies manager said: "We are just giving JJ (Ramsey) an opportunity today. He's done well for us in recent weeks. With Sandro, as we are all players, we are trying to manage his load.
"It's a delicate balancing act, we need to win games and you want your best players on the pitch but today it's an opportunity for Joe Willock and JJ to hopefully impress and bring their qualities. They are really good athletically and we feel we need that pace and athleticism in our team today."
It worked out exactly as Howe hoped. Willock and Ramsey - pushed higher in twin No 8 roles - were outstanding, providing energy and that athleticism that has eluded Tonali in recent months.
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There's no doubt the Italian midfielder has been a superstar on Tyneside, certainly last season as his performances in the engine room were instrumental in guiding Newcastle to their first major trophy since 1969. This season, however, there has been an alarming dip.
The old saying that there's no smoke without fire may not be the case but something is certainly up with Tonali. It may not be that he wants to leave - and even if he does, ChronicleLive revealed on Tuesday that Newcastle are in a bullish mood over his future - but the Italian international is clearly not happy.
His demeanour on the pitch looks different to what we've seen before. Is he tired (a new baby can do that)? Is the illness he had in October still lingering? Is he unhappy? Or is he just out of form?
A lethargic showing as a second-half substitute almost cost United at Spurs. Called into action as a replacement for Ramsey with a quarter of an hour left on the clock, he struggled to get up to speed. Dawdling on the edge of his box in the latter minutes, he was robbed, only for Micky Van de Ven to slash over the bar.
On current form, Tonali is arguably behind captain Bruno Guimaraes, Willock and Ramsey in the midfield pecking order. That's not to mention Joelinton and Lewis Miley who have both impressed before their injuries.
And there lies the rub. Howe may have an idea of what his best midfield line-up is right now but getting it on the pitch is another issue. Joelinton and Miley look to still be a couple of weeks away and the devastating sight of Guimaraes going down with a hamstring pull in the dying embers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium means his options have just become even more limited.
The Newcastle boss looks likely to recall Tonali from the start on Saturday for the FA Cup trip to Aston Villa. It is a decisive day for the club as they look to progress in the one competition they still have a serious chance of winning - and it's D-Day for the player too. United desperately need him to shake off his malaise and find the form that has made him one of the most wanted players in Europe.
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