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Eddie Howe has insisted an \u201cemotional\u201d Sandro Tonali has a future at Newcastle as he awaits the outcome of an investigation into alleged betting breaches.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old Italy midfielder, who joined the Magpies from AC Milan in a \u00a355million summer move, could face a lengthy ban as the club considers its options.<\/p>\n
However, Howe has vowed to offer all the support he can to a player he believes can play a major role in his team.<\/p>\n
Asked if Tonali has and wants a future at St James\u2019 Park, he said: \u201cThat\u2019s not even been discussed because that\u2019s a yes on both sides.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will support him and back him and we see him being part of our team for many years, and I know that\u2019s the same back from his side to us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some things I feel you don\u2019t have to say. We are committed to him long-term.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howe added: \u201cThe most important part of this whole incident is Sandro and his welfare. It\u2019s very easy for people to forget how young he is, the changes he\u2019s had in his life coming from Italy to England.<\/p>\n
He’s been obviously emotional, but handled himself with respect and dignity<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s hard enough to deal with, and now he has, of course, this situation, so we as a football club straight away, it was throw our arms around him and protect him and try to give him the love and support that he needs to find solutions to the problems that he\u2019s had.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what we\u2019re endeavouring to do with a lot of conversations, a lot of communication with him and his family, because it\u2019s not just Sandro, it\u2019s the people around him that are going to be so important to him as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to say, he\u2019s handled himself superbly well. He\u2019s been obviously emotional, but handled himself with respect and dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tonali, along with Italy team-mate Nicolo Zaniolo, is subject to investigation by the Italian Prosecutor\u2019s Office and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in relation to illegal betting activity.<\/p>\n
His agent Giuseppe Riso has claimed the player is dealing with a \u201cgambling addiction\u201d with reports from Italy suggesting he had bet on former club AC Milan winning games.<\/p>\n
Howe said: \u201cI got a phone call from (sporting director) Dan Ashworth during the international break and it was a total surprise to me, to him, to everybody.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut these are things that can happen and my immediate thought process was for Sandro and making sure he\u2019s okay so yeah, a difficult period for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howe, who revealed Tonali has trained this week and is under consideration for Saturday\u2019s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace on Tyneside, was more reticent when asked about the deal which brought the player to the club, and the relationship between football and gambling.<\/p>\n
When asked if the club was exploring the intricacies of the deal, he added: \u201cI\u2019m sure the club will be doing what the club needs to do. But from my side, I can\u2019t comment on that because I\u2019m not party to those conversations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is one for Dan and people above me to answer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tonali\u2019s situation has once again highlighted the links between sport and gambling.<\/p>\n
Newcastle currently have partnerships with three betting companies, FUN88, BetMGM and Sportsbet.io.<\/p>\n
Asked if that was a concern, Howe said: \u201cThat\u2019s a difficult one for me to comment on. My job is to coach the team, manage the team and that\u2019s what I\u2019ll do. It\u2019s probably best that I stick to those subjects.\u201d<\/p>\n