Newcastle United injuries: Sandro Tonali watched on from the sidelines as Newcastle United lost 2-1 to Sunderland at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Sandro Tonali is set to go away with the Italy national team despite missing the Tyne-Wear derby for Newcastle United on Sunday.
Italy face a crucial international break with a place at the 2026 World Cup at stake. The four-time world champions will have to beat Northern Ireland and then the winner of Bosnia & Herzegovina v Wales to book their spot in Group B of the World Cup alongside co-hosts Canada, 2022 hosts Qatar and Switzerland.
Italy won the 2021 European Championship but haven’t qualified for the World Cup since 2014. Tonali is yet to represent his country at a major tournament as he was banned during the 2024 European Championships.
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Sandro Tonali misses Sunderland match
Tonali has missed Newcastle’s last two Premier League matches ahead of the international break. The 25-year-old sat out the 1-0 win at Chelsea due to a reported illness before returning to the midfield in the 7-2 Champions League defeat at Barcelona where he was forced off with a groin injury.
That injury prevented him from featuring in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby as Newcastle suffered a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland and dropped to 12th in the table heading into the final seven games.
Tonali arrived ahead of the game but was notably wearing casual clothes rather than club attire and ultimately missed out on a place in the squad.
But the midfielder is expected to go away with Italy and be back involved for Newcastle when they return to Premier League action after the international break at Crystal Palace.
Eddie Howe provides Sandro Tonali update
Speaking after Sunday’s defeat, Howe confirmed that Tonali’s injury meant the match frustratingly came just too soon for the player.
“No, not a longer term problem but it was too quick a turnaround probably by a couple of days for him for this game,” Howe admitted.
“We missed our technicians today, Bruno [Guimaraes], Lewy [Miley] , Sandro all a very similar profile of player and we didn't have any of them and that meant our midfield was reshuffled and the lads did their best, but I think we missed their qualities.”
Italy have just confirmed that Federico Chiesa has withdrawn from the Italy squad due to injury with Nicolo Cambiaghi replacing him. Meanwhile, Tonali is expected to join up with the squad and will be subject to further assessment from the Italy medical staff.
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