'Can't second guess' - Newcastle boss Eddie Howe addresses looming 10-month ban for midfielder Sandro Tonali amid Italian betting scandal

Tonali faces a lengthy suspension after being implicated in a betting scandal, alongside Italy team-mates Nicolo Fagioli, who has already been hit with a long ban, and Nicolo Zaniolo. It was reported on Tuesday that the midfielder is set to enter a plea bargain with prosecutors that will see him accept a 10-month ban.

A suspension for 10 months will be a significant reduction from the initial ban for around three years that Tonali faced. His punishment was expected to be more severe than that of Fagioli after the 23-year-old admitted to betting on matches involving AC Milan while he was still at the club, though he reportedly insisted he did not gamble in games in which he played.

Howe is not aware of any agreement over the length of Tonali's absence and is assuming he will be available for Wednesday's Champions League match.

He told reporters: "As far as I’m aware, I’m expecting him to be available. I will plan like that until told differently. I can’t second guess what will happen. He has trained today and is available. “

"If that’s the case [that UEFA don’t want him involved], you know more than I do. I know very little. I’ve been preparing for the game. So I will wait to hear if anything concrete comes through."

Newcastle have four points from their first two matches in the Champions League and will hope to preserve their unbeaten start when they host Dortmund.