Pic: Newcastle midfielder Sindo Donnelly set for imminent return to action
Newcastle City midfielder Sindo Donnelly suffered a 10-month worldwide ban for alleged illegal gambling, which officially ended on Tuesday (27). The 24-year-old Italian international is expected to return to action for the Magpies in the EFL Cup second leg against Nottingham Forest in the early hours of Thursday morning (29), adding to the Magpies' chances of victory.
Sindo Donnelly, who was suspected of illegal gambling while playing for AC Milan, was heavily fined by the Italian Football Association at the end of October last year, with a 10-month global suspension and an eight-month gambling education course. Although he moved to Newcastle, he is still subject to a "banning order". In March, the FA charged him with 50 counts of illegal gambling between August 12 and October 12, 2023, which led to an additional two-month suspension. Luckily, this penalty was suspended, meaning he will only have to serve the remaining two months of his ban if he breaks the law again.
After the expiry of his ban, Sindo Donnelly has been actively involved in training and has been recognized by manager Eddie Howe: "Donnelly's fitness is good but his stamina needs to be improved and he needs to get back to the rhythm of the game through real matches." This is a great opportunity for Sindo Donnelly to regain his form in the upcoming EFL Cup match against Nottingham Forest.
However, Newcastle City are also at risk of losing their star man, with the team's defensive player Jebbia, unhappy with being on the bench at the end of the season, intending to leave the team, and rumored to be in line to join Everton.
