Eddie Howe reveals Sandro Tonali injury concern before Sunderland derby after Barcelona defeat | OneFootball

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

The Italian midfielder started alongside Jacob Ramsey and Joelinton, impressed before the break, then did not reappear after half-time because of injury. Newcastle fell behind early, twice levelled through an Anthony Elanga brace, only for Barcelona to pull clear before the interval and dominate the second half to hand Newcastle their heaviest European defeat. According to Sunderland Echo, Tonali was forced off during the game at the Camp Nou.

Eddie Howe said Tonali is a doubt and that it looked like a groin problem. He felt the midfielder was excellent in the first half and that his absence told after the break.

Losing Tonali would be a major blow for a squad already stretched. Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth are all unavailable, leaving midfield resources thin.

Newcastle return to Premier League duty ninth, seven points off the Champions League places with eight matches left, and out of all three cups. Howe said the defending fell below the level shown at Chelsea a few days earlier, citing two slips before the first goal, a set-piece concession and a pivotal penalty. He added that energy dropped after the break and that dropping deeper in a compact shape did not help.

Source: Sunderland Echo