Michael Dawson is worried ‘brilliant’ Newcastle player will get dropped now that Sandro Tonali is back

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Newcastle United suddenly have more depth in midfield, as Sandro Tonali made his return in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

He started the second round win over Nottingham Forest, as Eddie Howe thrust Sandro Tonali straight back into the fold on the day that his 10-month suspension came to an end.

It was great to see Tonali back in action, and he was certainly Newcastle United‘s best player in the first half. He played a part in the Magpies scoring within 18 seconds, while his all round game was impressive.

There was a brief injury concern, while Kevin Nolan noticed Tonali ‘breathing heavily’ early on into his return, but he managed to get 62 minutes in the tank as he made his long awaited comeback.

After the game, Tonali was serenaded by the travelling Newcastle United fans, but it was Sean Longstaff who ensured the Magpies made it through to the next round. He scored the decisive penalty in the shootout, with Newcastle now set to play AFC Wimbledon away from home in the third round.

Michael Dawson’s Sean Longstaff worry after Sandro Tonali return

It was great to see Longstaff calmly convert his penalty, after he had been brought on to replace Tonali in the second half.

The Newcastle United academy graduate showed real composure, and he received a huge amount of praise from Sky Sports pundit Michael Dawson after the game.

The former Nottingham Forest defender hailed Longstaff, but admitted that he is now concerned that he could lose his place in the team to Tonali.

“He’s one of those players that Eddie Howe must love to have in his dressing room,” he said.

“One of their own. The way he comes on – his energy in and around the place on the pitch. I’d have him in there every week.

“The concern now is Tonali has come back. Is he [Longstaff] going to be the one who misses out?

“I think he’s absolutely brilliant. He brings energy. He runs box to box. He makes tackles and breaks it up.”

Eddie howe will have ambitions of starting Tonali ahead of Longstaff

Longstaff will still have a part to play, but Eddie Howe will now have ambitions of getting Tonali in his midfield regularly alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

Tonali’s return is why it was important Longstaff enjoyed a strong start to the season, but the Italian has already shown within an hour how he can add a different dynamic to Newcastle’s midfield.

The speed in which he moves the ball is really going to help the Magpies, while Eddie Howe wants Tonali and Bruno to dovetail as a double-pivot as Newcastle aim to transition from midfield to attack.

Tonali has the ability to do that, whereas it is difficult to say the same about Longstaff.

Dawson is right to be worried about Longstaff’s place in the team, but he will still be a valued squad member. Newcastle need depth and additional cover, and that will be Longstaff’s role – unless he suddenly raises his game to a level so high that Howe has to pick him ahead of Tonali.