Sandro Tonali available for Newcastle’s cup tie at Nottingham Forest after ban

Sandro Tonali could return from his worldwide ban at Nottingham Forest after the date for Newcastle’s Carabao Cup second-round tie at the City Ground was confirmed.

The Magpies will head to Nottingham on Wednesday, August 28 with the game, which kicks off at 8pm, being broadcast live by Sky.

Italy midfielder Tonali is serving a 10-month suspension after admitting breaching betting rules and has not played for the club he joined in a £55million switch from AC Milan in July last year since October.

Newcastle confirmed last week the 24-year-old would be available once again on August 28 following the expiry of his ban, which was imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for offences committed during his time in Italy.

Tonali, who scored on his debut in a 5-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa, has made only 12 appearances for Newcastle and head coach Eddie Howe admitted on Friday he is understandably short of match fitness.

Howe said: “Physically, he’s very fit, he’s in a really good place, but he just hasn’t had the matches and the game sharpness that you can only really get from games.”