Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has hinted that Miguel Almiron could be drafted back into the starting line-up against Nottingham Forest, with the player given a "rest" in the win over Wolves.
The Paraguay international was named on the bench for the weekend’s 2-1 win at St James’ Park, Jacob Murphy starting in his place. Almiron did come off the bench in the second half of the game to score what turned out to be the winning goal.
That ended a run of five games without a victory for the Magpies. Almiron had also found that goals had dried up in the weeks leading up to the game vs Wolves, with the winger scoring just one in his previous seven starts in the Premier League.
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It led to talk that the player had been dropped from the starting XI after a tough few weeks. But Howe has said that it’s not the case, hinting that he could be back in the team when Newcastle travel to the City Ground,
"I would not say he'd had a tough six weeks. I think he has been excellent,” the Newcastle boss said, via ChronicleLive.
"Maybe he hasn't had the goals he had earlier in the season, but by his high standards that is very difficult to replicate on a consistent basis. I just felt a rest and a refresh of him would do him the world of good."
The game at the City Ground is a big one for both teams for different reasons. Three points for Forest will move them further away from the dreaded relegation zone.
The Reds are currently just two points clear of the bottom three positions as the fight for survival at the end of the season hots up. Newcastle, meanwhile, are aiming to be playing European football next season.
The Magpies currently sit in fifth place in the table, four points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur in the final Champions League place.
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