Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will prepare for tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund with Sandro Tonali in his squad “until told differently”.
The Italy international is currently under investigation by the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office for illegal betting practices and has reportedly admitted to betting on Milan games while a player for the Rossoneri.
Reports today have suggested Tonali is set to receive a 10-month worldwide ban with a verdict expected within the next 48 hours, potentially affecting his participation in the game with Dortmund at St James’ Park.
Howe, however, claimed to have heard no update and says the 23-year-old is available as it stands.
He said: “Sandro is fit and fine. There are obviously things going on but it’s the same as it was before Crystal Palace [on Saturday].
“I expect to have him available and will plan like that until told differently. I can’t second guess what’s going to happen. I’ve heard very little as I am preparing for the game.”
Newcastle come into the game top of Group F having taken four points from a trip to Milan and a home game with Paris Saint-Germain.
But Howe believes tomorrow’s game against the Bundesliga side is key to their hopes of progressing.
It’s another really tough test,” he added. “This group was always going to be this way. You go from Milan to PSG to Dortmund. We knew this group would be a really tough examination for us.
“This is a crucial game in the group, as after we have two tough away games. We have to use everything in our armoury to win the game. We need to make it as difficult as possible for Dortmund.”
????️ Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s #UCL visit of Dortmund to St. James’ Park.
“It’s a tough game ahead. The beauty of the PSG game was the whole environment created by the supporters, but we need to forget that result. Take the confidence from it,… pic.twitter.com/n9EOydxG7G
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 24, 2023
Howe is hoping for a repeat of the PSG game, from both players and supporters, after Luis Enrique’s men were beaten 4-1 on Tyneside.
“The beauty of the PSG game was the whole environment created by the supporters,” he said.
“We need to create that atmosphere all over again. For us, we need to try to recreate the intensity levels and quality of our play.
“We were pumped and the crowd were pumped and it’s not lost on us that we need to recreate that again. We were in the perfect place mentally for that game and that’s where we need to be again.”
