Newcastle boss Eddie Howe backs ‘big player’ Sandro Tonali to ‘get up to speed quickly’ as the Italian midfielder nears return from 10-month ban for betting offences

Sandro Tonali will be ready to quickly move up the gears when he makes his Newcastle United comeback – after the ‘low maintenance’ midfielder put in the work during his long betting ban.

Tonali was banned for 10 months late last year after illegal betting charges were brought by the Italian Football Federation.

The Italy international, signed from AC Milan for £52million last summer, is eligible to play competitive football again from August 27, and the 24-year-old could make his Premier League comeback in the club’s home game against Tottenham Hotspur on September 1.

Howe addressed Tonali’s readiness to return while preparing for Wednesday’s friendly against Urawa Red Diamonds in Saitama, Japan.

Tonali has been ‘first class’ behind the scenes, according to Howe.

Eddie Howe has praised the Italian midfielder for his attitude in training ahead of his return

Howe expects Tonali to get back up to speed quickly when he returns to the pitch

‘He’s good,’ said Newcastle’s head coach. ‘Mentally, I think he’s been excellent during this long period. I think he’s trained really well.

‘He’s very low maintenance for someone like me to manage the situation. I think he’s been first class. He’s been really supportive to the players that have been playing, and making sure that the team’s in the right place, ahead of himself.’

Howe and his staff, however, have not been able to get Tonali much match practice in pre-season, and he believes there will need to be some ‘understanding’ about his fitness and sharpness when he does return to the pitch.

‘I expect, with the way he’s trained, for him to get up to speed quite quickly, but I do think there needs to be a certain amount of understanding that there’s just been no way for us to get him the games that he needs into his legs,’ said Howe.

‘Although he’s joined in every day, a lot of his training would be smaller than a match unless it’s an 11 v 11, which we would occasionally do in training.

‘I think it probably will take him a while to get to his very best levels, but he looks fit and very focused. He’s a big player for us.’

Tonali – who made 12 appearances in all competitions, and scored one goal, for Newcastle before his ban – is in Japan with his team-mates.

Meanwhile, midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka have linked up with the squad in Tokyo after being given extended breaks following their summer exploits with Brazil and Slovakia respectively.