Bent hoping ‘unlucky’ Almiron can break his goal duck soon

Former Sunderland striker Darren Bent believes Miguel Almiron is the “unluckiest player” at Newcastle United.

And the ex-England striker thinks that once the Paraguayan gets off the mark, the goals will flow for not only himself, but also his teammates.

Speaking to Football Insider, Bent said: “I think the unluckiest player at the club goes to Almiron.

“I am so desperate for him to score because I really believe him and (Allan) SaintMaximin give them the edge.

“They get up the pitch in a hurry and that will help Joelinton.

“Once them two get goals – not Saint-Maximin, because I think he’d play like that anyway, he’s full of confidence – but I think Almiron, he’s just desperate for that goal.

“When he gets that goal, he’ll get more confidence and start to motor forward, that will help Joelinton because he’ll get more and more chances. He has disappointed me.”

Almiron is goalless in 23 Newcastle appearances.

United boss Steve Bruce, meanwhile, says he’ll persevere with his forward players – after they again failed to score at Aston Villa on Monday night.

Joelinton, Saint-Maximin and Almiron have scored one goal between them for Newcastle United so far this season.

The bulk of the club’s goals this season have come from defenders.

And Joelinton, signed from Hoffenheim for £40million in the summer, laboured up front as Bruce’s side was beaten 2-0 by Villa.

The result left the club 14th in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s home game against champions Manchester City.

Asked about his forward players, head coach Bruce said: “We have to keep persevering. Every time they don’t (score), I’ll be asked the same question.

“They have to stay confident, stick with it. Unfortunately, all of them are lacking goals. We have to keep working away at it.”

Bruce also had a worrying fitness update on Matt Ritchie, who is still not ready to return three months after injuring his ankle.

The winger suffered an ankle injury in the club’s Carabao Cup defeat to Leicester City in late August.

And Ritchie, an influential player on and off the pitch, is “not near” to a comeback, according to Bruce.