Eddie Howe has once again tried to bring calm to a growing list of injury worries as Newcastle United prepare for another important Premier League match. This time, the focus has been on Sandro Tonali, who sparked concern after he was forced off in the midweek draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
With Burnley visiting St James’ Park on Saturday, the timing of the scare was far from ideal, but Howe has tried to reassure supporters that the situation is not as serious as it first appeared.
Newcastle are trying to continue their strong run at home, where they are unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions. Howe knows that keeping that form alive will be crucial as the schedule becomes even more demanding.
Tonali has been an important figure in midfield, and the hope is that he will recover in time to at least make the squad. The Italian was substituted at half-time on Tuesday night after feeling discomfort, and that naturally led to fear that he may be facing a longer spell on the sidelines. However, Howe insisted the club have reasons to stay positive.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, the Newcastle manager explained that Tonali has already undergone a scan, and the early signs are encouraging.
Howe described the injury as similar to a heavy knock or dead leg, something that can cause enough pain to affect movement but usually settles quickly. He said Tonali himself wanted to be checked properly, which is why the scan was carried out, but there is no indication of serious damage.
The plan now is to monitor him closely before making a final decision. Howe stressed that Tonali will be given as much time as possible to prove his fitness before kick-off.
While this update brought some relief, it came alongside confirmation of two other setbacks. Newcastle are juggling a number of recovery timelines at the moment, and the squad has looked thin at times because of injuries in several key areas.
Still, Howe remains optimistic about the overall progress of the team and believes that players returning gradually will make a big difference as they prepare for a busy winter period.
One player who could soon help ease the pressure is Yoane Wissa. The forward is yet to make his competitive debut, but he has impressed in training and continues to take positive steps in his rehabilitation.
Howe revealed that Wissa featured in an 11-a-side training match earlier this week, managing around half an hour without any problems. The coaching staff were encouraged by how sharp he looked and how well he handled the physical demands.
According to Howe, everything so far suggests Wissa is not far away from being ready to join the matchday squad, although no exact date has been set. The club wants to make sure he is completely ready to contribute once he is brought in.
There was also encouraging news regarding Sven Botman, who has been absent due to another frustrating setback. Botman remains an important figure in Newcastle’s defence, and his absence has been felt in recent games.
Howe confirmed that the Dutch defender has recently received an injection designed to speed up his recovery. The medical team will now wait for the treatment to take effect, which usually takes about a week.
Once that period is over, Botman will be reassessed. Howe suggested that if everything goes well, the defender could make meaningful progress toward returning to action sooner than expected.
All of these updates come at a time when Newcastle are balancing expectations with reality. The team has impressed at home, showing strong resilience and consistency, but Howe is aware that maintaining that run depends on keeping enough key players available.
Injuries have tested the squad depth heavily this season, yet the manager continues to emphasise calmness and patience. His confidence in Tonali, Wissa, and Botman shows he believes they can all play important roles in the team’s push through the coming fixtures.
As Burnley prepare to arrive at St James’ Park, the questions surrounding Tonali’s availability will continue right up until matchday. But for now, Howe’s message is clear: the injury is not as worrying as it looked, and Newcastle remain hopeful that the midfielder can contribute as they aim to extend their unbeaten run at home.
