After ten months, the wait is finally over! Sandro Tonali returns to the Newcastle squad after the ban for illegal betting and will be at Eddie Howe’s disposal for tonight’s EFL Cup clash in Nottingham against Forest (10 pm). His football “revival” was a perfect reason for the Italian to speak openly about the path he’s been on, the change that happened, the long period without football, and the support he received.🚨🇮🇹 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Sandro Tonali’s 10 month ban from football is OVER! ✅Newcastle play a cup match today so he is eligible. Huge boost for Eddie Howe. pic.twitter.com/xWiUgPFr69— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 28, 2024 Speaking to the club’s television channel (NUFC TV), the 24-year-old initially highlighted the importance of talking, especially to people in the same situation and finding the strength in yourself to cope with the problem.”Talking helps a lot. In the first three months, I met a lot of people with ordinary jobs, especially in Newcastle, who had this problem and had never spoken before now. They did so when my problem was made public. After this they decided to get help and stop bottling things up, and this made me very happy. The first step is being able to talk about this huge thing you’re carrying inside of you, that you’ve never had the courage to do before. You have this enormous sort of block. Talking is the biggest step to resolve the problem,” claimed Tonali.”I’m feeling good now.” ❤️We sat down with Sandro Tonali ahead of his return to action tomorrow evening 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/bIqwJAcoTW— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 27, 2024 After joining Newcastle from AC Milan in a transfer worth 65 million euros, Tonali made only 12 appearances (eight in the Premier League) and played his last game in October. Hence, he stated he felt like a completely new player.”I am excited because I think I am a new player, a new transfer. I only played eight (Premier League) games last season, that was so difficult for me. I am excited to be here in Newcastle, not in another place because I have a top team, top fans and I can’t wait to come back on the pitch. Ten months is a long time because a footballer lives for the weekend,” the midfielder admitted.The Saudis won’t be held to ransom: Bye Guehi, Newcastle turn to GomezThe Italian mentioned the difficulties he encountered and underlined the importance of the support, asserting that he received it from all the people involved in Newcastle as well as the fans.”All the people who work at Newcastle were always by my side, from day one in October. I have never been alone in this 10 months. This is so important. It was very, very difficult for me in October and November and December. Now, I feel it is a new time. This is another point of my life. There isn’t a single person who didn’t show me their support – the same with the fans. They gave me the same love they’d have given me if I’d been here 10 years. This made me realise what the Newcastle fans are made of. I don’t think you get this in another city. I have thought a lot about this,” the 24-year-old said.Finally, he specifically pointed out the manager Howe as well and a couple of teammates who helped him immensely during his suspension, thanking all Newcastle players and fans for their help, encouragement and support.”Eddie has been my first friend at Newcastle. I have spoken with him every day for 10 months. Also, the first game I could not play, against Wolves, I was in Wolverhampton with the team. Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton helped me all through the night before the game. They stayed with me. They are top people. I want to thank my manager, my team and the fans,” concluded Tonali.ENGLAND – LEAGUE CUPTuesdayMiddlesbrough – Stoke 0-5 (0-1)/Tezgel 14, Mmaee 57, Koumas 60, Manhoef 65, 69/QPR – Luton 4-1 on pen (1-1)/Hevertton 11 – Nelson 16/Grimsby – Sheffield W. 1-5 (1-0)/McJannett 18 – Ugbo 53, Lowe 54, Paterson 72, 81, Valentin 90+3/Harrogate T. – Preston 0-5 (0-4)/Greenwood 14, 37 pen, Osmajic 39, 45+1, 83/Shrewsbury – Bolton 0-2 (0-0)/Osei-Tutu 52, Charles 65/Millwall – Leyton 0-1 (0-1)/Agyei 14/Leicester – Tranmere 4-0 (1-0)/Ayew 38, Mavididi 51 pen, Ndidi 71, Winks 90/Barnsley – Sheffield Utd 1-0 (0-0)/Watters 52/Walsall – Huddersfield 3-2 (0-1)/Lowe 63, 70, Helik 77 og – Koroma 16, Ruffels 53/Barrow – Derby 3-2 on pen (0-0)Watford – Plymouth 2-0 (1-0)/Rajovic 17, 72/Brighton – Crawley Town 4-0 (1-0)/Adingra 31, Sarmiento 48, Webster 84, O’Mahony 86/Fleetwood – Rotherham 2-1 (2-1)/Graydon 16, 29 – McCart 2/Everton – Doncaster 3-0 (0-0)/McNeil 53, Ndiaye 74, Beto 84/Blackburn – Blackpool 1-2 (1-0)/Gueye 21 pen – Beesley 72, Coulson 77/Coventry – Oxford 1-0 (0-0)/Thomas-Asante 57/Crystal Palace – Norwich 4-0 (1-0)/Kamada 2, Mateta 57, 68, Eze 84/Birmingham – Fulham 0-2 (0-2)/Jimenez 10 pen, Stansfield 14/Wednesday21:30: (1.67) Wolverhampton (3.50) Burnley (5.10)21:45: (1.57) Swansea (3.80) Wycombe (5.50)21:45: (2.15) West Ham (3.40) Bournemouth (3.10)21:45: (5.90) Wimbledon (4.10) Ipswich (1.50)21:45: (4.80) Cardiff (3.50) Southampton (1.70)21:45: (7.75) Colchester (5.00) Brentford (1.33)22:00: (3.00) Nott.Forest (3.40) Newcastle (2.20)***odds are subject to change***
