Almiron ‘can bring the best out of Rondon’

FORMER Manchester United man Danny Higginbotham has praised Newcastle United for the signing of Miguel Almiron, tipping him for success on Tyneside.

The Paraguay international signed for the Magpies for a clubrecord fee on deadline day, moving to English football after two successful seasons with MLS side Atlanta United.

Almiron was not available to feature in Newcastle’s defeat by Tottenham Hotspur last week but secured his work permit in the last few days ahead of being unveiled at the club this week.

The 24-year-old could make his debut in the trip to face Wolves on Monday evening and will hope to have an instant impression for the club - boasting a fine record with Atlanta last season with 13 goals and 11 assists in 37 appearances.

Should he secure similar numbers in the Premier League, Almiron will instantly become a fan favourite - but Higginbotham believes his biggest impact could be brining the best out of striker Salomon Rondon.

The Venezuelan, on loan from West Brom, boasts a decent record of nine goals and three assists in the Premier League this season but can often find himself isolated in the final third - but that could change with Almiron in the side.

Higginbotham said: “He is going to be the man in between the midfield and Rondon because at times Rondon can be isolated.

“What Rafa Benitez does very well is set his team up defensively strong but then being able to break.

“If you bring that kind of player in he will enable Rondon to not get isolated as much and play higher up the pitch.

“I think he is going to be a great signing and the beauty of between now and the end of the season is he is an unknown quantity so nobody knows how he is going to play.

“When you look into his background, he is a two-time MLS All-Star and he has just won the MLS Cup.

“I think he is a great signing, he is a No 10, very quick, can play on the wings. He has an outstanding left foot.”