Sandro Tonali given gambling-ban closure as Newcastle United comeback confirmed

Sandro Tonali will return to action for Newcastle United on August 31 against Tottenham Hotspur.

Providing he stays fit, the Italian can make his long-awaited comeback three games into the new Premier League season. Top-flight fixtures were confirmed earlier today, with the Magpies welcoming Southampton on the opening day.

A trip to Bournemouth follows before Newcastle face Spurs for a highly-anticipated clash at St James’ Park. The Magpies have battered Tottenham on their last two visits to Tyneside and this game will have added bite given Tonali’s return.

Arriving as the club’s marquee signing last summer, the midfielder played just 12 times before being slapped with a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations. This suspension was for conduct carried out as an AC Milan player - who raked in £55million for the transfer.

Tonali faced a second FA charge for misdemeanours committed while at Newcastle - which included gambling on the Magpies to beat Manchester City last September. However, his ban was not extended given the nature of his previous punishment.

The 23-year-old can now put the saga behind him and prepare for a Premier League return on August 31. Despite initial confusion, Tonali cannot feature in pre-season and is only allowed to play in behind-closed-doors games.

Eddie Howe opened up about Tonali’s “hunger” to make an impression once he returns to action. He said earlier this year: “I’ve seen the hunger there (to return to playing) throughout the entire time. 

“He’s done a lot of work alone. Individual work, fitness work, gym work. We’ve worked on his speed, and covered loads of aspects of his game to try and help him.”