The truth behind Sandro Tonali’s training performances at Newcastle United revealed

Newcastle United staff have been blown away by Sandro Tonali’s training-ground performances, according to reports.

For seven months, the Magpies have annoyingly watched on while their £55million marquee arrival - despite being fully fit - has been unavailable for selection. Tonali was banned in October for breaching betting regulations as an AC Milan player.

He is set to return in August after narrowly avoiding further punishment from the FA. The midfielder was found to have continued gambling following his Newcastle move - placing four bets on the Magpies to win earlier this season.

An additional two-month ban is suspended, with the FA taking his punishment from Italian authorities into consideration. Throughout his time out, Newcastle fans have continued to chant his name.

The club have also supported Tonali and publicly backed him in an official statement last week. Footage from the straining ground also shows the 23-year-old laughing and joking with his teammates. Previously, he appeared introverted, with supporters picking up on the Italian’s reserved demeanour.

Eddie Howe opened up about the “frustration” of not having Tonali to call upon while offering insight into his training. He said on Friday: "I see a small fraction of his life on the training ground. He has been a good professional and trained very well," added Howe. "I am sure he has had some difficult times, but he has conducted himself in a positive way."

"It's been a huge frustration to have a top-quality player that you can't use. I know what he can do and the difference he'll have made this year, but it wasn't to be."

Those comments are not understood to be media spin, with The Athletic claiming staff have “waxed lyrical” about Tonali. The time off has given him time to acclimate to English football and Howe’s style of play.

There is full confidence that Tonali, the club’s second-most valuable player, will still become a success on Tyneside. He can return to action from August 26 - two games into the new Premier League season.