The midfielder limped out of the Champions League defeat at Barcelona with doubts over his availability for Sunday's clash with Sunderland
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali (left) and Joelinton
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali (left) is a doubt for Sunday's game with Sunderland(Image: PA)
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Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is a doubt for Sunday's derby-day clash with Sunderland at St James' Park, in what would be a huge blow to Eddie Howe's squad.
The influential star was forced off in the second half of Wednesday night's Champions League defeat to Barcelona with a groin/hip problem, and head coach Howe admits he is now a doubt for the Tyne-Wear showdown.
With captain Bruno Guimaraes not expected to return to action until the after the international break, and fellow midfielder Howe also recovering from a thigh problem, it could leave Newcastle with just three fit senior midfielders for the game against the Black Cats.
"Sandro is a doubt," Tonali said after the defeat in the Nou Camp. "He has a groin, hip problem.
"He was great in the first half and we really missed him when he went off."
Newcastle are desperate not only for Premier League points, but know they must avenge the 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light in December, in a game where they failed to meet their usual high standards.
Tonali missed the 1-0 win over Chelsea last weekend through illness, but Howe would have been banking on the No 8 to anchor his midfield in Sunday's white-hot atmosphere.
The injury also comes as a potential blow to the Italian national side, who face a World Cup qualifying play-off in the coming international fixtures.
The Azsuri play Northern Ireland on home soil, with the winners facing either Wales of Bosnia Herzegovina in the play-off final for a place in this summer's World Cup.
Whether Tonali is included in the squad remains to be seen, but Newcastle are only concerned with their battle to move up the Premier League table and into the European qualification spots.
After Sunday's game with Sunderland, United don't play again for three weeks, when the travel to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on April 11.
A season which hit the 50-game mark in Barcelona now just has eight games left for Newcastle, and Howe will be hoping he has his key man fit and available in the near future.
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