What Eddie Howe has said about Sandro Tonali ban after Newcastle United star faces separate betting charge

Eddie Howe vowed to “look after” Sandro Tonali when the Newcastle United midfielder was dealt a 10-month ban in October.

Italian authorities slapped the £55million man with a hefty suspension for breaching betting regulations - an event that has seriously impacted the Magpies’ campaign. Tonali - whose agent revealed suffers from gambling addiction - arrived from AC Milan as the marquee summer signing but played just 12 times before his offences came to light.

His current ban runs until August 26, a timeline that will rule him out for the first two games of next season. Newcastle and Tonali were dealt further frustration when the FA charged the Italian with additional betting breaches.

The alleged misdemeanours took place between August and October last year - after Tonali joined the Magpies. There are fears the 23-year-old could be punished further but NewcastleWorld understands the FA are set to run their punishment concurrently with his outstanding ban.

Toon fans have remained supportive of the former Milan ace, chanting his name from the terraces and continuing to showcase flags depicting the midfielder. Howe is set to be grilled by the press ahead of Newcastle’s clash against West Ham United later today and previously promised to stand by Tonali.

“I see the person, I see the human, I see the pain and distress,” he said in October. “That’s why my thoughts are always with the player and making sure we look after him. Sandro loves the game and is absolutely devastated.

“His thoughts are with us and our thoughts are with him. Hopefully, between us, we can make it work. The most important thing is Sandro and his welfare. It’s very easy for people to forget how young he is and the changes he’s had in his life coming from Italy to England. Footballers are human beings.”