£20m Almiron ready to go, says Rafa
RAFA BENITEZ says there is no pressure on him after spending a club record £20.5million on Miguel Almiron because he was owed the funds from previous transfer windows. The January outlay on the Paraguay playmaker cancels out the £20m profit the Magpies made in the summer. ‘After five windows when we are in profit, I do not have any pressure,’ Benitez said. Almiron is likely to be on the subs bench at Wolves tonight, but his manager believes it would not be a gamble were the 25-year-old to start. ‘When you talk with him, he is ready,’ said Benitez, whose side are only out of the bottom three on goal difference. Benitez has seen a five-point cushion from danger evaporate since their shock win over Manchester City, and he fears Newcastle’s survival effort could go down to the final day of the season. ‘It is very tight. I think it will go until the end. Maybe Fulham, the last game, will be the most important. For me, 36 to 38 points should be enough.’ Seventh-placed Wolves, promoted last season, will be seeking a fourth straight Premier League win tonight, something never achieved before by the club.