‘Made a difference’ - Alan Shearer pleads with Eddie Howe to make tactical change at Newcastle United

Alan Shearer has urged Eddie Howe to let Sandro Tonali off the leash for Newcastle United this weekend.

The midfielder is yet to start a Premier League game for the Magpies since returning from his 10-month lay-off. Tonali did, however, make the team sheet for the Carabao Cup clash with Nottingham Forest and both of Italy’s recent international fixtures.

Toon fans are desperate to see the 24-year-old make the starting line-up after waiting patiently throughout his ban for breaching betting regulations. As he has done with many marquee signings, Howe is easing Tonali into life at St James’ Park.

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The £55million star came off the bench at half-time at Wolverhampton Wanderers with Newcastle trailing - only for the game to turn in the second half. Sean Longstaff, the man he replaced, was at fault for losing possession in the build-up to Wolves’ opener.

Long-range goals from Fabian Schar and Harvey Barnes turned the game on its head but Tonali and Joe Willock’s impact from midfield was also praised. Club icon Shearer believes Howe must be bold ahead of the weekend’s clash against Fulham.

“Yeah I mean, you can imagine how tough it’s been for him,” he told the Rest Is Football podcast about Tonali. “So I think he’s a great option for Eddie to have. He hasn’t started him other than in the cup game against Forest. So in a couple of the league games, he’s been on the bench but he did come on at the weekend and made a difference at half-time.

“So whether that forces Eddie’s hand to start him now, (it) probably (does) actually. Yeah, but he’s a very talented player. There’s no doubt about it and it’d be a good addition to get him back into the Newcastle squad.”