Newcastle star Sandro Tonali admits to struggles adapting to life in the North East as he returns to face former club AC Milan in Champions League clash

Newcastle star Sandro Tonali has opened up about his struggle to adapt to life in the North East as he prepares to face his former club AC Milan.

The 23-year-old midfielder arrived on Tyneside this summer on a £52million contract as Newcastle strengthened their squad ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Tonali said: “This summer has been difficult and I’ve had a rough start. At first it wasn’t easy to find my place, but I found people who supported and helped me and I started to be happier.

“Mr Howe and my teammates were great. They help me in my personal and professional life. They helped me settle down. The language was very difficult for me at first, I found communicating with the boys extremely difficult, but it is getting easier and I am very happy. It’s getting easier.’

The Italian midfielder wasted no time in getting a taste of the city’s nightlife by visiting a local Wetherspoons.

The 23-year-old midfielder has opened up about his struggles to adapt to life in the North East

The Italy international was pictured in a local Wetherspoons in a viral social media post

Tonali was pictured at The Job Bulman pub in Gosforth after making his Premier League debut in the 5-1 win over Aston Villa.

He said: ‘After the match against Villa I had been asking people for places and restaurants to spend a night with my family. I didn’t get the answer I expected. I spent the night in a pub in my town. Normally you don’t go to the pub with family, but it was a special evening! Pleasure!’

While he admits it will be a strange feeling to return to the club he supports, he said it won’t be a problem once the whistle blows to start the match.

‘I think I’ll feel the emotion at 90% tomorrow. Today it is 10%,” Tonali told reporters on Monday. ‘I’ve met some people I know in Milan and been in touch with them.

‘These are difficult emotions, because they do not always occur in football. They are special and I will remember them forever. This is the team I support and the team that gave me the opportunity to succeed. Things have changed completely. I’m here as a rival, I have to do that, but that won’t be a problem.’

For his father, who is a passionate Milan fan, it will be a bigger problem.

‘I don’t know who he will support. I don’t want to get in his head, but I think he’ll take care of me! I hope he will support me, but it is very difficult to change a supporter’s opinion about his team,” Tonali said.

‘I think he will support Milan and me. Maybe he wants a draw?’