Midfielder Sandro Tonali’s return from his 10-month ban has left Michael Dawson worried about one of Newcastle United’s players.
Tonali started for manager Eddie Howe in his side’s Carabao Cup clash against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
The Italian midfielder feels like a new signing for the Magpies after being sidelined for so long.
Due to his return to first-team football, Dawson is worried about Sean Longstaff, who played a crucial role in Newcastle United’s penalty shoot-out victory in the game.
Longstaff replaced Tonali and scored the decisive penalty in the Magpies’ win.
The former defender has claimed that Longstaff could lose his place in the team to Tonali.
“He is one of those players that Eddie Howe has loved to have in his dressing room.” he said, as he quoted Geordie Boot Boys.
“One of his own. The way he enters: his energy in and around the place on the pitch. I would have it there every week.
“The concern now is that Tonali is back. Will he (Longstaff) be the one to miss out?
“I think he’s absolutely brilliant. He brings energy. He runs from box to box. He makes tackles and breaks it up.”
Holding the nerve to send us to the third round!
@seanlongstaff97 pic.twitter.com/qiY6W0TQkO
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 28, 2024
Manager Eddie Howe will now have a headache selecting his midfielders as Tonali’s return gives him another option.
The Italian was impressive in the first half for the Magpies and fans were delighted to see him back in the team for the first time since October 2023.
