EDDIE Howe wants Sandro Tonali back to his very best as soon as possible with the the midfielder set to play a "massive" role for Newcastle United after his impressive return to action.

Tonali was United's best player before he was replaced after an hour in his first game back after a 10-month ban at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.

It was an emotional night for the Italian, who was serenaded by the away end after Newcastle's penalty shoot-out success and Howe said Tonali was buzzing after feeling from the love from the fans.

And for Howe, it was an exciting glimpse of what he can expect from last summer's big-money signing.

“I thought he did well. He was involved in some lovely little passages of play," said Newcastle's head coach.

“I thought he did well fitness wise considering the lack of match action he’s had. I think he can be really pleased with the reception he got from the Newcastle supporters at the end.

“You could see the amount of Italian flags in the crowd, that embrace with the supporters.

“A lot of emotion coming out from Sandro’s side and, of course, from the supporters’ side back. That connection is so important for any player, and he will be hugely boosted by that."

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The head coach must now decide whether the 24-year-old keeps his place in the side for Sunday's Premier League visit of Tottenham.

He said: "I think we have to make the right decision for the team first. Of course, Sandro is a top quality player so we'll have to make the right decisions. He's had a real lack of big football work so I think he'll be a little bit short of his best levels.

"Hopefully we can get him back to his best levels as quickly as possible. He has a massive part to play for us.

"I was always going to start him (at Nottingham Forest) if he trained well enough to warrant that. This was an opportunity for him to grab, he did well but he still has work to do to get back to his best levels.

"He will be absolutely delighted to be back. He has the love of the people who really matter, that's his family and the Newcastle family. To see that will elevate him and make him feel so good. My job is to coach him and help him in many different ways. To see him back doing what he loves is the most important thing.

"It's been difficult for him. He's had his teammates and a really strong family unit around him. He's had the benefit of training and the escape that brings. But there's nothing like a matchday and he's been training with no purpose. But now he has that purpose back, I'm delighted to see him back and hopefully this was the first of many for him."