The former AC Milan star is hungry to face Tottenham Hotspur and get much-needed winNewcastle United’s Sandro Tonali speaks during a pre-match press conference ahead of the game vs Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle United Sandro Tonali has insisted he is feeling fine after an injury scare in Seoul.

The Italy international did not train on Thursday and spent time with the physio after the exhausting 1-0 defeat against the K-League Select XI.

Tonali left the Suwon World Cup Stadium with his leg strapped but has declared himself fit to finish the tour and play against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, if selected.

A blow for Tonali would have been the last thing Newcastle need with Joe Willock injured and Howe down to the bare bones in midfield.

Tonali said today: “I think if I was injured, I’d not be (sitting here) now! It is the first few games, and I was a little tired. I had some physio, but if the gaffer wants me to play I will.

“I am excited because it is the first time for me in South Korea, I’ve never been here before. I am ready for pre-season.

“The fans here are amazing, they are similar to our fans. When we return to Newcastle we will remember this time during our season.”

Sandro Tonali Newcastle United controls the ball under pressure

Newcastle will go in against a Spurs heavy crowd at the Seoul World Cup Stadium with thousands set to pay farewell to Son Heung-min in a Tottenham shirt.

Here in the heart of Seoul, Spurs fans waited in great numbers outside the Conrad Hotel to grab a glimpse of the superstar. But Tonali insists it is business as usual for Newcastle – and admitted that they are ready to play the role of party poopers.

Newcastle have suffered three defeats in a row in their summer schedule, losing to Celtic, Arsenal and the K-League. While friendlies don’t count for too much, the Magpies still want to get positive results under their belts to take into the first game of the Premier League campaign.

The former AC Milan midfielder said: “It is a good test, in pre-season everything is tough and everything is different.

“We need to win our first game, we will feel different and we will feel better. We will do everything to win this game.”

And head coach Eddie Howe, who put on a double session the day before the game for the players causing a delay to the Press conference, feels that Spurs provide the perfect opponents.

He said: “It should be a really good game; two Premier League teams, two high quality teams on show, and we’re hoping to build up performance levels as we go through pre-season.

“So we’re hoping for a really good performance.”

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