Sandro Tonali and five Newcastle United players worryingly at risk of missing Brentford clash

Newcastle United will assess Sandro Tonali ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture at home to Brentford after the midfielder picked up an injury on international duty.

The Magpies’ £52million summer signing started Italy’s 1-1 draw with North Macedonia on Saturday and has been training at former club AC Milan ahead of facing Ukraine this evening.

However, according to Sky Italia, Tonali won’t feature because of a “slight muscle injury”.

NewcastleWorld takes a look at the players that could miss this weekend’s visit of the Bees:

Joe Willock - ruled out

Newcastle have been without Willock since May after he sustained a hamstring injury during the penultimate home game of the 2022-23 campaign.

The former Arsenal man was initially due to return in pre-season but suffered a setback. United hoped to have Willock available after the September international break but Howe revealed after Brighton & Hove Albion last time out he had suffered a new injury.

“Joe’s had a bit of a setback with an Achilles injury,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “It’s not related to his hamstring problem so I think he’ll be missing for around six weeks.”

Emil Krafth - doubt

The Sweden international hasn’t played since August 2022 when he sustained an ACL injury in a Carabao Cup second round tie at League Two side Tranmere Rovers.

It’s been a long road back for Krafth due to a couple of setbacks but the good news is the right-back is nearing a return to playing after being pictured in training last week.

That said, the Brentford match is likely to come too soon for the 29-year-old.

Sven Botman - 50/50

Botman missed the 3-1 defeat at Brighton having fallen awkwardly on his ankle against Liverpool six days earlier. He underwent a late fitness test before United left for the South Coast but “didn’t feel too good so he was ruled out” according to Howe.

The Magpies’ head coach admitted it was “unknown” whether or not Botman would return in time for Brentford but the Dutchman’s social media activity has provided some encouragement.

The 23-year-old has uploaded a couple of videos to his Instagram page of him being put through his paces at Newcastle’s training ground.

Elliot Anderson - 50/50

Anderson was called up by Scotland for the first time for the Euro 2024 qualifier in Cyprus and the 150th anniversary match against England at Hampden but suffered an unspecified injury in training last Tuesday.

The 20-year-old returned to Tyneside for treatment but has been at the centre of questions put to Steve Clarke and England boss Gareth Southgate over his international future.

With Anderson still waiting for his first senior cap, it leaves the door open for England to gain his allegiances. Anderson had played for Scotland at multiple youth levels before he switched to England at under-19 level. He returned to play for the Scots at under-21.

Both managers admitted to being huge fans of the attacking midfielder.

Miguel Almiron - 50/50

Newcastle are waiting to see if Miguel Almiron is fit to feature for Paraguay in tonight’s World Cup qualifier versus Venezuela (kick-off 11pm).

Almiron pulled up in the closing stages of his country’s 0-0 draw with Peru on Thursday. The 29-year-old appeared to be in some discomfort and as a result limped off with his teammates forced to play out the game with 10 men.

The Paraguayan Football Association issued a statement after the fixture confirming Almiron had “sustained muscular contracture” and is “subjected to further auxiliary studies.”

Shortly after however, Paraguay boss Guillermo Barros Schelotto said Almiron “doesn’t have an injury” and put the issue down to cramp. All eyes are on this evening to see if Almiron has recovered in time.