Eddie Howe is frustrated by how good 23-year-old Newcastle player is in training

Add as preferred source on Google

There are a lot of things that must frustrate Eddie Howe about Newcastle United’s season so far.

The main one is the injury situation, with Eddie Howe unable to pick his strongest side at any point during the 2023/24 campaign. Callum Wilson is the latest player to be ruled out, and his season could be over after undergoing surgery on his pectoral tendon.

There are plenty of key players who Howe has not been able to pick due to injury, while there is also a player he can’t pick due to suspension.

Unlike a lot of Newcastle’s players, Sandro Tonali has been fit all season. However, he is currently banned after being investigated by the Italian Football Federation for betting.

In the meantime, the 23-year-old is still allowed to train with Newcastle United, and Eddie Howe has admitted that the midfielder has been excellent.

Eddie Howe frustrated by how good Sandro Tonali looks in training

Howe has spoke to beIN Sports ahead of Newcastle’s game against Bournemouth, and shared an update on how Tonali is doing behind the scenes.

“He’s very much been like a normal player, apart from the fact we just can’t pick him on a Saturday,” he said.

“He’s doing everything, he’s doing all the training. His attitude has been absolutely brilliant. When you consider he’s not got that carrot at the end of the week, he’s not got that game, but you wouldn’t know it from his training performances. He’s been very very good for the other players that are playing.

“It’s been frustrating seeing him because you know you’re missing a top quality player. I’d love to be able to use him at the moment. But I’m seeing some really good things from him.”

Next season Tonali will make up for lost time at Newcastle

Howe has been short of midfielders all season, and that continues to be the case. Joe Willock is closing in on a return, but it looks like Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley will have to start again versus Bournemouth.

The Toon boss would love to rotate in that area of the pitch, but has been robbed of that opportunity. And it is even more frustrating as one of his best options is still allowed to train with the team despite not being available for selection.

But this time in training will help Tonali massively, and he is expected to make a huge impression in black and white next season. He will be desperate to make up for lost time, having not played since October.