Eddie Howe reveals Sandro Tonali injury concern in fresh Newcastle United setback before Sunderland clash | OneFootball

Newcastle United face a new injury concern before Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby at St James’s Park, with Sandro Tonali a doubt after the 7-2 Champions League loss at Barcelona.

According to Sunderland Echo, the Italian went off at half-time with a suspected groin issue after starting alongside Jacob Ramsey and Joelinton and impressing in the opening period.

Newcastle competed well early and twice hit back through an Anthony Elanga brace after conceding first. Barcelona then pulled clear before the break and dominated the second half to hand the club their heaviest European defeat.

Eddie Howe said Tonali is a doubt with what appears to be a groin problem. He felt the midfielder shone before the interval and was missed after it.

His potential absence would be a significant setback, with Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth already unavailable, leaving the squad stretched, particularly in midfield.

Newcastle return to Premier League action in ninth, seven points off the Champions League places, with eight games remaining after exits from all three cup competitions.

Howe criticised the defending, saying it fell short of the level shown a few days earlier at Chelsea, and highlighted a slip for the opener, a set-piece concession and a costly penalty. He said they were outstanding in many first-half aspects and could have led at the interval with better defending. After the break their energy dropped and moving lower and deeper in a compact shape did not help.

Source: Sunderland Echo