Sandro Tonali injury update after MRI scan - Hope for Newcastle vs Sunderland

Sunday's game against Sunderland is massive for Newcastle United after the devastating Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona.

Going out of the Champions League is one thing, but doing so after conceding eight goals over two legs is something entirely different.

Newcastle need to pick themselves up and be ready to go again for Sunday, as the Toon Army won't be so forgiving if things don't go according to plan at St James' Park.

A fully fit squad would have been nice going into Sunday's game, but that's just not how Newcastle's season has gone, and when Sandro Tonali limped off in the game against Barcelona last night, we feared the worst.

Eddie Howe said after the game last night that Sandro Tonali had picked up a groin/hip issue and was a doubt for Sunday's game against Sunderland, which is less than ideal.

A promising update on Tonali

However, the Italian went for an MRI scan on Thursday morning, and the results paint a slightly more positive picture.

As revealed by Craig Hope in his Newcastle Confidential  Q&A, Tonali’s injury is not thought to be serious.

It’s perhaps telling that he has no plans to withdraw from the Italy squad, with Hope reporting that he still has a chance of playing on Sunday.

"It did not sound good afterwards and Eddie Howe said he was a doubt for Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby.

”That remains the case until swelling subsides, but there is hope today that the injury is not serious. That gives him a chance for this weekend at the very least and Newcastle will know more on Friday. 

"Tellingly, there are no plans for him to withdraw from Italy’s squad for their World Cup play-off matches. He is said to be feeling much better after the scare of what looked at first to be a serious problem."

Newcastle aren't short on midfield options

Even having Tonali available on the bench for a short cameo late in the game could be enough to swing the confidence meter further in Newcastle's favour.

Having said that, the midfield trio of Nick Woltemade, Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey did a great job against Chelsea last weekend. Throw Joelinton back into the mix and we needn't worry too much.

Ideally, we'd have Tonali available, along with Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley, too, but we'll make do with what we have available.