Newcastle were conspicuously absent from midfielder Sandro Tonali as they trained on Monday morning ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.
The 25-year-old Italy international did not take part in the public section of the session, which was held in front of cameras at the club’s Dursley Park home base.
Tonali, signed for £55m from AC Milan in the summer of 2003, was replaced by Jacob Ramsey with 20 minutes remaining in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton.
Since returning from a 10-month ban for gambling offenses in August last year, the Italian has become a key member of manager Eddie Howe’s midfield alongside Brazilians Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton.
Tonali, who won the Carabao Cup with the Magpies in March, played all but a few minutes for his country in World Cup qualifier wins against Estonia and Israel during the final international break.
Head coach Howe will be keen to have him at his disposal on Tuesday night as Newcastle look to build on the three points they picked up in a 4-0 win over Union Saint Giroise in Brussels earlier this month after losing their opening game against Barcelona at St James’ Park.
