Eddie Howe now gives his view on Sandro Tonali’s trip to Wetherspoons this week

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So Sandro Tonali went to Wetherspoons this week, and Eddie Howe is adamant that Matt Ritchie did not send him there.

Social media went into a frenzy earlier this week when it emerged that the 23-year-old had reserved a table at the chain pub, as he gets to grips with life in Newcastle.

Bruno Guimaraes was asked who told Tonali to go to Wetherspoons, but he confirmed that he did not know. However, he did find the whole thing very amusing.

Now Howe has spoke out about it, as his side prepare for the toughest game of the season away to Manchester City. It is going to be a massive game at the Etihad, but the Newcastle boss took time to have a chuckle about what Tonali has been up to.

Eddie Howe comments on Sandro Tonali’s ‘innocent’ trip to Wetherspoons

Ahead of the game against Man City, Howe spoke to the media. He was asked about Tonali‘s trip to Wetherspoons by Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, who suggested that Matt Ritchie was the one who organised the reservation.

“I’m not sure he was in there for team morale,” he said.

“I think he was in there for something to eat. It was a very innocent situation but obviously picked up by you guys.

“He’s settled in really well and he is part of the group. He’s built some really good friendships and he’s got some really good relationships which is important. Certainly when you go into a new dressing room you want to find people who you an identify with and get along with and that certainly helps settle you on the football pitch.

“I don’t know how Matt Ritchie’s got the blame for that. Poor Matty. I’m not sure he booked it for him.”

Tonali engrossing himself in the…culture?

We are all absolutely desperate to know who told Tonali to go to Wetherspoons. Our money is on Callum Wilson, as he is a bit of a prankster!

After that, we need to know what he thought about it. Did he have a bowl of spaghetti and wash it down with a pint of Moretti as the song goes? Hopefully we find out one day – maybe when Tonali’s English is a bit better!

The midfielder’s England adventures are absolutely brilliant to follow. He’s had Geordie lessons from David Ginola and been fed a sausage roll, now he’s booking a table at Wetherspoons.

On top of this, he is shining in black and white. He was out of this world on his debut last week, scoring in Newcastle’s 5-1 win over Aston Villa.

It was a breathtaking performance from the Italian, who will hope to be just as effective against Manchester City on Saturday night. It will be a tougher test for Tonali, who will either be fuelled by cheap burgers or a questionable curry – it depends what he got from Wetherspoons, after all.