Sandro Tonali limps off the pitch against Barcelona
Sandro Tonali limped off the pitch against Barcelona
Sandro Tonali has sparked injury concerns ahead of this weekend's Tyne-Wear Derby, after limping off the pitch against Barcelona on Wednesday evening.
The Italian midfielder managed just 56 minutes in the Magpies' second-leg last 16 Champions League clash at Camp Nou, before he went to ground seemingly with an issue with his thigh after a brief battle with Fermin Lopez. Tonali looked to be in some discomfort as he clutched his leg, before Newcastle medical staff rushed onto the pitch to treat him.
The 25-year-old shook his head with a panicked look on his face as evaluations were carried out, before he was ultimately substituted for Joe Willock. Tonali also required support from a medical staff member as he hobbled around Aaron Ramsdale's goal and back to the team dugout.
Depending on the severity of the issue, it could come as a major blow to Newcastle's plans for this weekend's Tyne-Wear Derby with . After suffering a 1-0 loss at the Stadium of Light in December - Nick Woltemade's own goal making the difference during that encounter - the Magpies and the Black Cats go head-to-head at St James' Park come Sunday, March 22.
Newcastle will be desperate to make a mark in the encounter, considering they have failed to beat their fierce rivals in a Premier League derby since August 2011. While the Magpies head into the clash better off in terms of available players, Tonali's lack of a presence could be a major miss.
United currently sit ninth in the Premier League standings, just two points clear of a 13th-place . Meanwhile, the Black Cats have managed to win just one of their last five outings in the English top flight, with Regis Le Bris' momentum from a flying start in the division slowing as of recent.
Elsewhere, Sunderland have a number of first-team players sidelines through injury, with Jocelin Ta Bi, Romaine Mundle, Bertrand Traore, Nilson Angulo, Reinildo, Nordi Mukiele and Robin Roefs all set to miss out this weekend.
Enzo Le Fee also missed the weekend's 1-0 loss to Brighton, a game in which Dan Ballard picked up a hamstring injury. Tonali is not the only Newcastle talent who could miss this weekend's clash, however.
Club captain, Bruno Guimaraes is currently out with a thigh injury, while Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley and Fabian Schar are also sitting out at present. With or without Tonali, Sunday will provide Newcastle a brilliant opportunity to bounce back from a heart-breaking Champions League exit on Wednesday evening.
The Magpies headed to Camp Nou 1-1 on aggregate with Barcelona after a gripping first leg at St James', but this week's midweek fixture proved a far more one-sided affair. Raphinha opened the scoring just six minutes into the match before Anthony Elanga equalised moments later.
Marc Bernal once more gave Barcelona the lead in an almost instant response, before Elanga came to his club's rescue once more.
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