Eddie Howe admits Sandro Tonali fitness issue ahead of Sunderland vs Newcastle United
Eddie Howe says Sandro Tonali is still regaining fitness after illness and injury as Newcastle prepare for Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby
Eddie Howe has acknowledged that Sandro Tonali is still working towards full fitness as Newcastle United prepare for Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light.
Tonali has featured regularly in Newcastle’s matchday squads this season but has struggled for rhythm, with Howe revealing earlier in the campaign that the midfielder had been hit by a “bad illness” in October. The Italian missed the start of that month before returning as an unused substitute in the 3-0 Champions League win over Benfica, and he was then eased back into action during the 2-1 victory over Fulham four days later.
Speaking after the 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, Howe admitted Tonali’s physical condition has fluctuated in recent weeks. Howe said: “He's had a little bit of a bitty last couple of months. He had a bad illness, which really knocked him. Then he came back to fitness.
“Then he got a knock in the Tottenham game. So, yeah, a little bit in and out in terms of how he physically feels. But I'd say today he looked a little bit tired towards the end [v Bayer Leverkusen], naturally, because he hasn't played the length or amount of time that he would normally. So it's a case of building his rhythm.”
Tonali remained on the pitch despite fatigue and was involved in the closing stages as Newcastle conceded a late equaliser in Germany. The midfielder failed to track the runner for Bayer Leverkusen’s 88th-minute goal, a lapse that added to Howe’s ongoing concerns about his side’s ability to see out matches.
Newcastle travel to the Stadium of Light on Sunday for their first Premier League derby with Sunderland in a decade, with Tonali’s condition now one of several fitness considerations for Howe heading into the game.
Régis Le Bris offers injury update
Régis Le Bris says Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra is set to miss next weekend’s Wear-Tyne derby, with the head coach admitting the fixture against Newcastle United will likely come too soon for the 21-year-old.
The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.
Diarra has been stepping up his recovery following groin surgery earlier this season and had been in a race to return in time for the derby. While progress has been positive, Le Bris believes the timing will work against him. The Frenchman did, however, offer encouragement elsewhere, revealing that Reinildo is expected to return after sitting out the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City with a groin issue. "For Rei, it could be okay but for Habib, it would be too short, I think," Le Bris said.
Sunderland will also have Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki available for the derby after both avoided a booking at the Etihad. Le Bris moved to withdraw the pair late on, protecting them for Sunday’s clash, with Romaine Mundle and Simon Adingra introduced instead.
Le Bris later explained his decision not to turn to Dan Neil was to keep attacking momentum, with Lutsharel Geertruida pushed into midfield. "Yes, because we tried to stay in the game, to provoke something," he said. "I think with offensive players on the side, it was more or less the idea. It didn't work, but we tried."