Sandro Tonali ban confirmed: £55m summer signing will miss the rest of NUFC's season

It has been officially announced today that Sandro Tonali will be suspended from football for 10 months with immediate effect.

We knew it was coming, but after losing two big players to injury last night it's still a tough one to take.

For his part in the betting scandal, Sandro Tonali has been handed a 10-month suspension and will have to partake in eight months of rehabilitation for gambling addiction.

Tonali will not play for Newcastle again this season

In terms of the length of the ban, it could have been far worse, so Newcastle will now only have to see out the season without their £55 million signing as his return will be in August 2024.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on X today.

"BREAKING: Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 month due to gambling addition scandal plus also 8 months of participation in gambling rehab plan. Tonali, suspended for 10 months from football activities — back August 2024. Season over with #NUFC and also NO Euro2024."

That means last night's appearance against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League is the final time we will get to see Tonali this season.

Joe Willock's return could not have been timed better

Thankfully the implementation of his ban has coincided with a return to fitness of Joe Willock who can fill that gap nicely for Eddie Howe without him needing to dip back into the transfer market in January.

However, just to keep the numbers up, Newcastle may find themselves looking to the loan market with a view to bringing someone in for the rest of the season.

Kalvin Phillips is the current favourite according to media sources, but over two months between now and the window opening, anything can happen.