Sandro Tonali reveals sharing his story with fellow gambling addicts helped him recover during his 10-month ban – as the Newcastle midfielder insists he feels like a ‘new player’ ahead of his return to action

Sandro Tonali now feels like a Newcastle United new player after revealing that talking to a fellow gambling addict on Tyneside helped him overcome a “major obstacle”.

The Italian is set to return from a 10-month ban for illegal gambling in the Carabao Cup match against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night. He has not played since October and has made just 12 appearances for the Magpies since his £52million move from AC Milan last July.

Tonali’s rehabilitation also includes meeting other people suffering from the same illness, and the 24-year-old said: “Talking helps a lot. In the first three months, I met many people, especially in Newcastle, who have normal jobs and have this problem but I had never spoken to them before. When my problem became public, they spoke up. After that they decided to seek help and stop keeping their feelings inside and I was very happy.”

“The first step is to be able to talk about the big issues you’re having that you’ve never had the courage to talk about before. You have big obstacles. Talking about it is the biggest step to solving your problems.”

Tonali thanked manager Eddie Howe, his teammates and the club’s fans for the support they have shown him during his suspension, saying: “I’m excited because I feel like I’m a new player, a new signing. Last season was very tough for me, I only played eight games (in the Premier League). I’m excited to be at Newcastle and not somewhere else. I’ve got a first-team, top fans and I can’t wait to get back on the pitch.”

The 24-year-old revealed that talking to fellow addicts has really helped his recovery.

Tonali praised Magpies manager Eddie Howe for his support throughout the process.

“Ten months is a long time because footballers live for the weekends. The people working at Newcastle have been there for me since the first day of October. I’ve never been alone in those 10 months.”

“This is very important. October, November and December were very difficult for me. I feel like now is a new time. This is a new point in my life.”

“There wasn’t a single person that didn’t show me support. The same goes for the fans. They gave me just as much love as they would have given me if I’d been here for 10 years. It made me realise what Newcastle fans are like. I don’t think you get that in any other city. I’ve thought about it a lot.”

Tonali added: “Eddie was my first friend at Newcastle. I spoke to him every day for 10 months and I was in Wolverhampton with the team for the first game I missed, against Wolves. Bruno (Guimaraes) and Joelinton helped me all night before the game, they were with me. They are the best people. I want to thank the manager, the team and the fans.”