Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been named on the substitutes' bench for this afternoon's Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at St James' Park.
The 23-year-old is being investigated by Italian prosecutors and the Italian Football Federation in relation to illegal betting activity, and he is at risk of a lengthy ban from football.
However, Eddie Howe confirmed on Friday that Tonali would be "very much available for selection" despite the ongoing probe, but the Italian will begin this afternoon's encounter with Palace on the bench along with striker Alexander Isak, who is not fully fit to start due to a knee issue.
Howe has made a total of four changes to the side that drew 2-2 with West Ham United before the international break, with Tonali, Isak, Elliot Anderson and Miguel Almiron all making way for Joelinton, Callum Wilson, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon.
Sven Botman has failed to recover from a knee injury in time for this afternoon's match, so a back four of Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn remains intact, sitting in front of goalkeeper Nick Pope.
: Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Murphy, Wilson, Gordon
: Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Hughes, Doucoure, Lerma; Ayew, Mateta, Edouard
More to follow.
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