Sandro Tonali can now put his feet up after a tough campaign after being overlooked by Italy boss Silvio Baldini
Sandro Tonali has been left out of Italy's squad for their June friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece - news which will be a relief to Eddie Howe and his coaching team.
The Newcastle United midfielder pulled a muscle in the warm-up ahead of the clash with Fulham and will miss the two games with his country. Both fixtures were fixed up before Italy were knocked out of the World Cup play-off with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On a day in which Tonali was reportedly opening talks with Arsenal, he instead was enjoying the first day of a near two month break. Chronicle Live reported on Monday that suggestions of discussions with the Gunners had been played down by both ends, but he remains a player who could be sold given Newcastle's uncertain financial situation.
Italy coach Silvio Baldini has named a young squad for the matches, both away form home, as he looks ahead to Euro 2028. Tonali was deemed injured by Newcastle as he left Craven Cottage.
Eddie Howe said: "It was a different injury. He felt something in the warm-up.
"It was not related to last week but a big blow just before kick off."
The final day clash at Fulham had originally contained Tonali in the starting XI but a late twist resulted in Eddie Howe being forced into a reshuffle just before kick off. Tonali was then replaced by Joe Willock, who came into the team and took a spot in the 3-5-2 system that proved ineffective in a 2-0 loss on the final day of the campaign
A United statement read: "A late change to our starting XI as Joe Willock comes in for Sandro Tonali who suffered an injury in the warm-up."
The Italy international went off with a hamstring injury against West Ham during Sunday's 3-1 win at St James' Park. That prompted injury worries in the Toon camp with many wondering if he would be sent home for the summer early this week.
When asked about Tonali's fitness levels ahead of Fulham, he said: "Sandro, potentially, will be available. We will look at him again today. We don’t think it is anything serious." Tonali will be free to enjoy a longer break after June 7 when he will have more than a month before pre-season begins.
Newcastle will be relieved that Tonali, recently forced off with a hamstring injury against West Ham, will now get a seven-week break. The ex-AC Milan star's failure to reach the World Cup with Italy means he is due for a July 13 return date at The KNOX.
That will give Tonali plenty of time to recover from the two injuries he has suffered in the last fortnight and offer him the chance to go again in July.
Tonali ended the season after playing 60 games for club and country with five goals to his name and at one stage wearing the captain's armband for Howe.
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