Steve Bruce issues Miguel Almiron update at Newcastle United as international call-up looms

Newcastle United revealed earlier this week that Almiron would be sidelined until next month with the knee injury he suffered in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, there have been suggestions in Paraguay that the midfielder could yet be called up for this month’s World Cup qualifier’s against Chile and Colombia.

Almiron, however, would need to quarantine for 10 days on his return from South America as Paraguay and Chile are on the Government’s coronavirus “red list” – and that would see him miss the club’s Premier League games against Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley.

And, if Almiron is deemed fit to play by then, United will seek guidance from the Premier League because releasing Almiron, who came to the fore at the club following the arrival of coach Graeme Jones in late January.

“I think the whole of the Premier League and EFL are looking at this situation,” said head coach Bruce. “Whether you’re injured or not, it seems pretty ludicrous to me, but we’ll have to look at it and see what we’re going to do.

"We’re going to be led by other people on that, and not just with Miggy because he’s injured, but also what they’re going to do across the board around the international players.

"With a pandemic going on, I wouldn’t have thought we’d want players playing halfway around the world. It’s something we’ll have to look at.”

Bruce also lost Allan Saint-Maximin to a groin injury in the Wolves game, while Emil Krafth (shin) and Isaac Hayden (ankle) are doubtful for Sunday’s fixture against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

“We’ve got one or two knocks, and then obviously the major ones with Allan and Almiron,” said Bruce. “We’ll see how Isaac Hayden is, he’s been carrying an ankle injury for the best part of a week or two.

"Emil Krafth has got a nasty shin injury, we’ll see how he is. We’ll see how they are today and tomorrow.”

Federico Fernandez is set to come back into the squad after returning to training this week.

“Feddy has trained all week, he might be involved,” said Bruce.

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