The Chronicle

Almiron is running up a lot of credit with team-mate Shelvey

- By SEAN McCORMICK

MIGUEL Almiron’s running stats at Newcastle United are ‘absolutely ridiculous’ and the Paraguayan is getting better and better.

That was the revelation of his Magpies’ team-mate Jonjo Shelvey, who lauded the playmaker for his workrate.

Almiron has been rejuvenate­d in recent weeks since returning to the ‘number 10’ role where he excelled at with Atlanta United prior to his then club-record move to St James’ Park in 2019.

However, Newcastle were hit with a blow on Saturday evening as Almiron was forced off with a knee injury in their 1-1 draw with Wolves.

Steve Bruce revealed the Paraguay internatio­nal was in ‘distress’ at halftime and Newcastle now face a nervous wait over the prognosis.

When discussing Almiron prior to Saturday’s draw, Shelvey inadverten­tly highlighte­d what the Magpies will miss should his injury rule him out of action for a sustained period of time.

“Miggy has improved so much in terms of his end product and he has scored a few goals,” the six-timecapped England internatio­nal midfielder said.

“The one thing Miggy brings to our team is the work rate. He sets us going on that press and the way we want to play at the minute is with a high press.

“You want to see his stats after the game. It is absolutely ridiculous.

“He is such a nice guy. He is always smiling.

“Even today, we had the body fat test and he was 4.4%. Who is 4.4%? He hasn’t an ounce of fat on him! He is just a top lad.”

 ??  ?? United duo Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron
United duo Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron

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