Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali trained with his teammates as usual ahead of their Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night.
Tonali is facing a lengthy ban from the game for breaching betting rules while at previous club AC Milan with reports suggesting on Tuesday that the midfielder could face a suspension of around 10-12 months.
He appeared off the bench during Saturday's 4-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace and was given a rousing reception by home fans at St James' Park.
And Tonali could be in line to start against Dortmund, when Newcastle will be looking to build on their opening two Group F games that saw them draw 0-0 at Milan and then trounce Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 on Tyneside.
Tonali and countryman Nicolo Zaniolo, currently on loan at Aston Villa from Galatasaray, were sent home from Italy's training camp during the last international break after being told they were under investigation by the Italian Prosecutor's Office and Italian Football Federation in relation to illegal betting activity.
Tonali's agent Giuseppe Riso has admitted that his client is struggling with a “gambling addiction” while Magpies manager Eddie Howe has made it clear that the club will be standing by the 23-year-old.
“We will support him and back him and we see him being part of our team for many years, and I know that’s the same back from his side to us,” said Howe. “There are some things I feel you don’t have to say. We are committed to him long-term.”
Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was last week given a seven-month suspension by the FIGC for breaching betting rules, fined €12,500 and agreed to undergo therapy for gambling addiction.
You can see pictures of Tonali training with his Newcastle teammates in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if suing a mobile device.
