Italy’s star midfielder Sandro Tonali could still feature against Northern Ireland in Thursday’s World Cup play-off semi-final despite missing Newcastle United’s weekend derby defeat to Sunderland through injury.
Tonali was included in Gennaro Gattuso’s star-studded Italian squad earlier this week but was forced off after 55 minutes of Wednesday’s heavy 7-2 Champions League defeat away to Barcelona.
The 25-year-old has developed a reputation as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders since joining Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023.
He started in seven of Italy’s eight World Cup qualifying matches last year and has racked up 30 international caps.
Sandro Tonali missed Newcastle United's defeat to Sunderland through injury. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Sandro Tonali missed Newcastle United's defeat to Sunderland through injury. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Tonali’s absence would have been a major boost for Northern Ireland, but Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has suggested the midfielder will be back in time for a clash in Bergamo.
"It’s not a longer term problem,” Howe told BBC Radio Newcastle. “It was too quick of a turnaround probably by a couple of days for him for this game.”
From a Northern Ireland perspective, Dan Ballard’s absence from Sunderland’s squad will be a worry – the 26-year-old picked up an injury while playing against Brighton on March 14.
Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris hinted in his pre-match press conference that Ballard was pushing to be involved with a late fitness test scheduled, but he wasn’t named in the matchday panel.
Northern Ireland star Trai Hume started and played 90 minutes as Sunderland secured a 2-1 win over their biggest rivals at St James’ Park.