Newcastle United must brush off last night’s hefty defeat to Barcelona immediately and focus on another massive game this Sunday.
The Champions League is gone now, which, while devastating, may be good for the rest of Newcastle’s Premier League season, giving us our midweeks back to train rather than travel and play.
The Magpies are back in action on Sunday, and it’s the big one. Sunderland come to St James’ Park in the Premier League, but it seems we may have another midfielder out of action.
We already know that Lewis Miley will miss out, with he and Bruno Guimaraes aiming to be back after the upcoming international beak. However, last night’s defeat brought another blow as Sandro Tonali limped off.
If the defeat to Barcelona wasn’t damaging enough, Newcastle are now sweating on the fitness of Sandro Tonali after he was replaced by Joe Willock in the second half of last night’s defeat through injury.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Eddie Howe confirmed that Tonali still wasn’t 100% going into the game following his illness, but has now has now suffered a groin/hip injury issue that “could be a problem” given the short turnaround between now and Sunday’s Tyne and Wear derby.
“Sandro, of course, had a bit of illness coming into the game. I think he was beginning to fatigue.
“I think he was feeling something in and around his groin area, so that could be a problem for us.”
Speaking to North East reporter Dominic Scurr in his post-match press conference, Howe admitted that the Italian is now a doubt for Sunday’s game, suggesting he’s also feeling discomfort around his hip.
“I’d say he’s a doubt. It looks like he’s got a groin/hip problem.
“I thought he performed really well in the first half, and we really missed him in that second period.”
Trying to put a positive spin on things, if indeed that’s remotely possible so soon after that battering, a ‘doubt’ isn’t the same as being confirmed as out.
Tonali was able to walk off the pitch, which is a good sign at least. And who knows, he might just be able to shrug it off in time for Sunday’s 12pm kick-off.
If not, we’ll almost certainly see one of Joe Willock or Nick Woltemade drop into midfield, alongside Jacob Ramsey and Joelinton. If it’s Ramsey in the deeper role, perhaps we’ll be OK, given how well he performed in that role at Chelsea.
Look, I’m clutching at straws because I don’t want to be heading into the derby in a negative headspace. So, let’s hope Tonali can make it and Newcastle can kickstart an end-of-season surge in the Premier League, starting with a big win over the Mackems to make up for last night’s mess!