23-year-old could still feature in Champions League clash despite IFF statement being due today

Fabrizio Romano has posted an update on Sandro Tonali this morning that suggests a statement on his suspension from world football is due today.

Eddie Howe told the media yesterday that he was preparing for tonight's game with Borussia Dortmund as if Tonali would be available. Whether that means he's got him down as part of the starting lineup only he knows.

However, there are now strong rumours that the Italian Football Federation and Tonali have agreed to a 10-month ban and that the former AC Milan man will still be available for Howe in tonight's Champions League game.

Claims have emerged that a '10-month' suspension has been agreed

Football journalist extraordinaire Fabrizio Romano has posted an update via X today that makes for interesting reading.

It strongly suggests that the statement from the Italian Football Federation is due very soon and Tonali is set to be handed a 10-month ban from world football.

"Sandro Tonali will be banned for 10 months — sources confirm final indications, waiting on statement. He won’t be able to play for 10 months due to gambling addiction scandal. There will be additional months of participation in gambling rehab plan, same as Nicoló Fagioli."

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Juventus star Fagioli was handed a seven-month ban after coming forward early to help with the investigation.

It was always believed that Tonali's ban would be more severe with anything from one to three years mooted, so a 10-month suspension is actually not too bad.

The Daily Mail has backed up Romano's claim that a 10-month has been agreed upon but crucially suggested that Tonali will still be eligible to feature tonight.

Newcastle could look to the loan market in January to fill the midfield void

It means the Magpies will have to do without their big-money summer signing for the rest of the season, but also that a January loan move for someone to come in for the rest of the campaign would be enough to cover his absence.

Newcastle may not even feel they need to dip into the loan market to replace Tonali with Joe Willock's return from injury now imminent.