Steve Bruce explains Miguel Almiron decision at Newcastle United

Almiron came off the bench in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at St James’s Park. The midfielder had returned from Paraguay on the eve of the game after opting to stay and watch his country’s fixture against Bolivia despite being suspended.

Almiron’s late return had followed an explosive interview given by Daniel Campos, his agent.

Campos’ comments on his client’s future were labelled “outrageous” by Bruce on the eve of the Chelsea game. However, United’s head coach has insisted that the decision to name Almiron on the bench was solely down to his late return from South America.

“People are going to look into the agent’s comments, but he was never going to be playing,” Bruce told NUFC TV. “It’s very difficult to get off a plane (and play), having been halfway round the world. That was always going to be the case.”