Newcastle United will be desperate to respond positively in tomorrow’s Champions League clash against Benfica after their disappointing 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday.
The team knows how important this game is for both their season and their European campaign, so any uncertainty surrounding one of their key midfielders was the last thing fans wanted to hear.
Earlier today, there was concern when reports emerged suggesting that Sandro Tonali had missed training ahead of the match, raising questions about his fitness and availability.
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie revealed around midday that Tonali was not part of the training session, hinting that the Italian might not be fully fit.
This immediately sparked worry among Newcastle supporters, who know how crucial the midfielder has become since joining the club. However, those fears were eased slightly an hour later when The Mail’s Craig Hope provided an update that offered both good and bad news.
According to Hope, Tonali’s absence was not due to an injury but rather because of illness. The midfielder has been suffering from a bug, which kept him out of training, but he still has a chance of being fit for Tuesday night’s 8pm kick-off at St James’ Park.
Hope shared on social media that there was “no injury, which is good news for Newcastle,” giving fans reason to breathe a sigh of relief. It’s now a matter of whether Tonali can recover in time and regain enough strength to feature against Benfica.
Eddie Howe and his coaching staff will likely monitor him closely over the next 24 hours before making a final decision.
Tonali’s performance at Brighton over the weekend had already raised some questions, as he was taken off with 20 minutes remaining and appeared slightly off his usual high standards.
He struggled to impose himself in midfield and was partially at fault for Brighton’s opening goal, where he was beaten too easily before Danny Welbeck broke through to score.
While such off-days are rare for the Italian, it’s possible that the illness that kept him out today may have already been affecting him during that match.
Eddie Howe is set to address the media later this afternoon, where he is expected to provide a further update on Tonali’s condition.
The manager will also likely speak about the broader team news, with several other players already confirmed to be out of action. Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, and Yoane Wissa have all been ruled out, adding to Newcastle’s growing list of absentees at a critical point in the season.
If Tonali can recover in time, his presence would provide a massive boost for the Magpies. His control in midfield, composure under pressure, and ability to dictate play are all essential qualities Newcastle will need against a strong Benfica side.
The visitors are known for their technical quality and quick attacking transitions, so having someone like Tonali to manage the tempo and link play could make all the difference.
For now, Newcastle will remain hopeful that rest and treatment will allow the Italian international to shake off his illness.
The team has already shown resilience this season, dealing with injuries and setbacks, and Howe’s men know the importance of securing a victory at home to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
With St James’ Park set to be rocking under the lights once again, the fans will be eager to see their team deliver a strong response and ideally, see Tonali back in the starting lineup to help lead the charge.
While the news of his illness is far from ideal, the confirmation that there is no injury is a major relief for everyone connected to the club.
Newcastle’s medical staff will continue to work with Tonali to ensure he’s ready, and supporters will be keeping their fingers crossed that he can recover in time to play a key role in one of the most important games of their season so far.
