Another oddity: An average Kenyan worker will earn more money than a Premier League player

Newcastle United will continue to support their prized asset Sandro Tonali. The Italian midfielder will receive all the legal, moral and emotional support from his employers - but he won't receive his wages throughout his impending suspension. The Premier League player will earn less than the guy who serves drinks in your local bar. Funny, isn't it?

Some days pass quickly, and others feel like an eternity. Tonali is realizing this now, caught between apparent normality and the unease about what will happen. Today could be his last game of the season with the black-and-whites. At the beginning of next week, when his lawyers are expected back in the Italian Federal Prosecutor's Office for plea bargaining, he will learn the duration of his suspension for the betting case. It could keep him away from the field for a year, potentially causing him to miss next year's European Championship in case Gli Azzurri qualify.

It's a sad story in which human and sports aspects overlap. Sandro is a young man who needs help to overcome a difficult time. He has made a mistake and will pay for it, but he will also have to deal with a series of uncertainties because he now plays in the Premier League. First of all, his salary: unlike Nicolo Fagioli, whom Juventus decided not to touch his salary during the seven months of suspension, the Italian midfielder will not receive the $9.75 million plus seasonal bonuses from Newcastle during the suspension, as stipulated in his contract. Additionally, there is the risk that he may not be able to train: in England, there is no specific protocol. When Brentford's forward Ivan Toney was suspended for betting on matches of his club and even on himself, he wasn't allowed to train with his teammates for four months. It will depend on what is established during the plea bargaining. Still, it would be very tough for Tonali to go through the period without competitive matches, especially if he's condemned to train alone.

The other aspect to be defined concerns the cycle of public meetings that Tonali will have to undergo if his suspension mirrors Fagioli's. Being based in England, travelling to his homeland frequently would be complicated, so a different formula may be considered, which could involve a higher financial penalty. These aspects will likely be discussed in the decisive meeting scheduled for next week, and it is not excluded that the Prosecutor's Office may consider them. Tonali has shown maximum cooperation, admitting to betting on Milan but only on winning, and he has stated that he did not incur debts and did not involve other players.

Meanwhile, Newcastle will give Tonali a warm embrace this afternoon when they host Crystal Palace. Head coach Eddie Howe has confirmed that the former Milan midfielder is available and will be on the field at St. James' Park, also as a public demonstration of affection from the Magpies' fans.

"I see the person, I see the human, I see the pain and distress. That's why my thoughts are always with the player and ensuring we look after him. Sandro loves the game and is devastated. His thoughts are with us, and our thoughts are with him. Hopefully, between us we can make it work. The most important thing is Sandro and his welfare. It's very easy for people to forget how young he is, and the changes he's had in his life coming from Italy to England. Footballers are human beings. I see him for a few hours a day but, from what I can see, he's handling himself very well and he's dealing with his emotions incredibly strongly. But underneath that I'm sure a lot is going on, so I'll have to make a call. I have to bring it back to football and his training performances, then try to make the best decision for the team."

Howe avoids answering questions about potential retaliation against Milan, something Newcastle will consider only once they have all the facts from the investigation.

"The acquisition of Tonali was a football decision, the idea of taking a player we thought could make us better. There is no anger from the club about what happened, only the conviction that we need to make the best out of a complicated situation and continue to support Sandro."

Tonali remains at the centre of Newcastle's thoughts, and the club will continue to stand by his side, even when the inevitable suspension arrives. But today, there is a football game - and Tonali is still available to face the Eagles if Howe decides the Italian is in the right frame of mind.

The Magpies will continue to monitor the progress of Sven Botman, who is recovering from a knee problem. There is some doubt about Alexander Isak's availability due to a similar issue. Still, Joelinton should return after dealing with a hamstring strain, and Anthony Gordon is back after serving a suspension. On the Crystal Palace side, Jefferson Lerma, Cheick Doucoure, Joel Ward, and Naouirou Ahamada are fit and available after recent injuries. Summer signing Matheus Franca has recovered from a back issue and is ready for his debut, but Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, James Tomkins, Jeffrey Schlupp, and Dean Henderson remain sidelined.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 9

Saturday

14.30: (1.37) Liverpool (5.60) Everton (8.50)

17.00: (2.50) Bournemouth (3.45) Wolverhampton (2.95)

17.00: (1.90) Brentford (3.50) Burnley (4.20)

17.00: (1.45) Man.City (4.60) Brighton (6.75)

17.00: (1.50) Newcastle (4.30) Crystal Palace (7.75)

17.00: (1.70) Nott.Forest (3.60) Luton (5.40)

19.30: (3.10) Chelsea (3.50) Arsenal (2.40)

22.00: (7.50) Sheffield Utd (4.60) Man.Utd. (1.42)

Sunday

18.30: (1.95) Aston Villa (3.70) West Ham (4.10)

Monday

22.00: (1.55) Tottenham (4.20) Fulham (5.90)

***odds are subject to change***