Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC at Camp Nou on March 18, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)placeholder image
Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC at Camp Nou on March 18, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sandro Tonali is a doubt for Newcastle United’s Tyne-Wear derby clash against Sunderland.
The Italian midfielder was forced off during the Magpies’ 7-2 Champions League last-16 second leg defeat in Barcelona on Wednesday night due to a groin injury, but a scan has suggested the problem isn’t as bad as first feared.
“Yeah, we'll wait and see,” Howe said when asked about Tonali’s potential availability. “Hopefully not as bad as maybe we first feared when I saw him limping off the pitch. [We’ll] see how he is today and then make a decision closer to the game.”
The 25-year-old has been called up by Italy for their World Cup play-off semi-final match against Northern Ireland next week and perhaps tellingly hasn’t withdrawn from the squad.
A few days later, the winners of that tie face the winners of Wales v Bosnia & Herzegovina for a place at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Will Tonali started against Sunderland? And what about the other big decisions Howe has to make? After Aaron Ramsdale shipped seven in midweek, Nick Pope will be eyeing a return, while who starts between Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento at right-back is another dilemma.
Here’s how Newcastle United are predicted to line-up:
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