Eddie Howe has confirmed that Sandro Tonali has suffered a groin injury during Newcastle United’s 7-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Newcastle equalised twice through Anthony Elanga at Camp Nou in a thrilling first half but Barcelona went into the break 3-2 in front via Lamine Yamal’s penalty.

Howe’s side then collapsed in the second half as Barcelona went on to score four more without reply to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-final where they will play Atletico Madrid or Tottenham.

Tonali, meanwhile, was forced off in the second half against Barcelona and is now a doubt to be fit for Newcastle’s Premier League derby at home to Sunderland this Sunderland.

When asked about Tonali’s injury after the game, Howe said: ‘I’d say he’s a doubt.

‘It looks like he’s got a groin, or a hip problem. I thought he performed really well in the first half and we really missed him in that second period.’

Analysing his side’s defeat to Barcelona, Howe said: ‘The defending today was not at the level that it was just a few days ago at Chelsea.

‘Starting with the first goal where two players slipped, then we concede a set play, then probably the big one was the penalty. So as well as we played in the first half and I thought we were outstanding in many aspects, it was really a great representation of how we want to play.

‘If we performed anywhere near or defended anywhere near the level we can, I think we would have been leading at half time.

‘The second half we said we didn’t have the same energy and when the game was effectively over, we didn’t react well to that moment either.

‘So it became a very, very difficult second half. And even changing to play lower and deeper in a compact space didn’t really help us in our efforts.’

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Mikel Arteta has provided injury updates on Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Sunderland.

The Gunners head into the weekend after an excellent pair of results following their setback against Manchester United, thrashing Leeds United last weekend before booking their place in the Carabao Cup final with a win over Chelsea.

Injuries have been a concern, however. Saka withdrew from the Arsenal starting XI during the warm-up shortly before kick-off at Elland Road, also missing the visit of Chelsea midweek. Noni Madueke started ahead of him in both games.

Odegaard played 61 minutes against Leeds but picked up a ‘niggle’ that afternoon that saw him left out of the squad midweek.

The duo were not pictured in training on Thursday with Jurrien Timber also absent.

Speaking ahead of the visit of the Black Cats, Arteta revealed the Dutchman is ‘fine’, suggesting he is fit to start on Saturday.

While Saka is ‘much better’, Arteta suggested this weekend will come too soon for him.

‘His hip is much better, and hopefully very soon he will be with us,’ Arteta said.

Odergaard however is set to miss out again with his manager explaining he is still ‘a few days away’.

More to follow

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