There is hope that Newcastle United will do the Italian national team a favour this weekend – although that would be a huge call from Eddie Howe.
Indeed, Sandro Tonali came off injured during Newcastle United’s heavy defeat to Barcelona and was subsequently classed as a doubt for their huge Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland on Sunday.
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Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the stands at St James' Park, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe looks to the ground
Credit: James Gill – Danehouse/Stu Forster via Getty Images
The groin injury also may have placed the midfielder’s participation for Italy in their upcoming World Cup qualification play-off matches against Northern Ireland and Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina into doubt.
Still, reports now suggest that Tonali has avoided injury – yet Italy are hoping for Newcastle to do them a favour.
Italy coaching staff would like Tonali rested for Newcastle United vs Sunderland
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, those within the coaching set-up with the Azzurri are hoping that Tonali will be rested for Sunday’s game.
It’s certainly understandable as to why they’d hope that, but it does feel hugely unlikely.
Newcastle simply have to beat Sunderland on Sunday, having lost the first derby between the two in dreadful fashion earlier this season.
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It was a dreadful display on Wearside and the idea that it could be repeated at St James’ Park is hardly worth thinking about.
Sandro Tonali during Newcastle United's Champions League match against Barcelona.
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Why Newcastle cannot rest Tonali vs Sunderland
The fact of the matter is that Bruno Guimaraes is injured for Newcastle.
Howe does not have the depth available to start doing favours for Italy, as big as their upcoming games may be.
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A failure to beat Sunderland at home would invite even more pressure on the Newcastle United manager.
It is the one big game left this season and Howe needs his best team out on the pitch to deliver an important result.
While Tonali hasn’t been at his best this season, he will be required on Sunday. It’s going to be a huge game and the Magpies need all the help they can get.
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