Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned for ten months for his part in a betting scandal sweeping Italian football.
However, the punishment has not been ratified, leaving the Italy international available for the Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the match, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe disclosed that the Magpies had not received any information and there is a high chance the midfielder will feature.
Howe said (via Football Daily): Well, it is a difficult one because we haven’t had an official confirmation as a football club yet.
“We’ve heard the news, speculation, and statement, but we haven’t heard anything from the Italian authorities at the moment, so we are sort of in limbo, waiting for that official confirmation to come through.
“I think there is a high chance that he could be available for us. I still think there are a few things that have to happen before the ban is imposed, so let’s see.
“Of course, there’s an element of frustration and disappointment that we’re not going to have a quality player for a long period of time.”
There have been rumours that Newcastle are poised to take legal action against AC Milan. The Magpies signed Tonali from the Italian giants and are angry that he will be unavailable for a while.
Newcastle will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing midweek loss to Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League clash.
BVB needed only one goal to move ahead of Newcastle into second place in the Group F standings.
Newcastle will look to put the Tonali ordeal and the Champions League defeat behind them when they travel to Molineux tomorrow.
The Tyneside club will back themselves to continue their fine domestic form that has seen them go unbeaten in their last five league games.
