Sandro Tonali has sparked injury concerns ahead of this weekend's Tyne-Wear Derby, after limping off the pitch against Barcelona on Wednesday evening. The Italian midfielder managed just 56 minutes in Newcastle United's Champions League last-16 second leg at Camp Nou, before going to ground with a thigh issue following a challenge with Fermin Lopez.
Tonali looked to be in considerable discomfort as he clutched his leg, and was ultimately substituted for Joe Willock after medical staff evaluated him. He required support from a staff member as he hobbled around the goal and back to the dugout.
The injury could be a major blow for Newcastle's plans for Sunday's derby against Sunderland at St James' Park. The Magpies are already without club captain Bruno Guimaraes, who is out with a thigh injury, as well as Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley and Fabian Schar.
Sunderland also have several first-team players sidelined, including Jocelin Ta Bi, Romaine Mundle, Bertrand Traore, Nilson Angulo, Reinildo, Nordi Mukiele and Robin Roefs. Newcastle head into the match ninth in the Premier League, two points above 13th-placed Sunderland, after a disappointing 7-2 aggregate defeat to Barcelona in midweek.
