Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been spotted "grafting" while serving his 10 month gambling ban.

The 23-year-old Magpies midfielder has not played for the Premier League side since October.

But he has now been spotted appearing to work alongside staff at Shepherd Offshore engineers.

The former AC Milan star was banned by the Italian FA for breaching the gambling regulations.

He is still permitted to train during the ban but will not be able to play for Eddie Howe's side until next season.

He was however pictured wearing a hard hat and high-vis jacket on a post on X, formerly Twitter, reports The Sun.

One user posted: "@sandrotonali hard at graft."

While Magpie Media commented: "Sandro Tonali has been pictured today working alongside Shepherd Offshore engineers on the banks of the River Tyne. Keeping himself busy."

Another fan quipped: "Sandro Tonali out here doing side quests."

One fan said it was the "most random thing" they'd seen.

Shepherd Offshore has not commented on the star's apparently appearance at its site.

Italy international Tonali was last week handed a two-year suspended ban after admitting breaching the FA's betting rules - he was also fined £20,000 and warned about his conduct.

He will only serve the latest ban should he breach betting rules again.

A Newcastle United spokesman added: "As acknowledged by the FA in the independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons, the level of assistance Sandro has provided by self-referring and fully cooperating with a subsequent investigation is extraordinary and unprecedented.