£21m Newcastle player is now almost certain to miss the Chelsea game, out for weeks

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United’s injury woes refuse to go away, with Miguel Almiron becoming the latest player to head to the treatment room.

The 29-year-old started for Newcastle against Bournemouth on Saturday night, but was withdrawn during the first half.

He went down with a muscle injury, and was replaced by Matt Ritchie. Eddie Howe later confirmed that the winger had sustained a hamstring problem, but was unsure how long he would be out for.

Now the Athletic have provided an update on the situation, with Chris Waugh stating that the £21million man is going to be out of action for a number of weeks.

Miguel Almiron will ‘almost certainly’ miss Newcastle vs Chelsea

On the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne, Chris Waugh stated that Almiron has picked up a hamstring injury that will mean he is unavailable for the Magpies’ next Premier League fixture against Chelsea.

“Miguel Almiron – they’ve released in Paraguay that he has suffered a grade one tear of his hamstring, which in one sense is a positive because it’s the lowest level of tear you can have,” he said.

“But it’s also a tear of the hamstring and that probably means it will be a matter of weeks before he is available.”

Waugh added that Almiron ‘almost certainly’ will not play against Chelsea on November 25th.

Newcastle struggling for options in attack

With Almiron set to miss the game against Chelsea, Howe is going to struggle to put out a front three that he can have complete confidence in.

A lot will depend on Alexander Isak’s fitness. It is hoped that he will return to face the Blues, but Newcastle do also have a Champions League date with Paris Saint-Germain just days later, which Isak will be needed for.

Howe must manage his players’ minutes carefully, but that is becoming more and more difficult.

If Isak is not deemed fit to start against Chelsea, it will be Anthony Gordon leading the line. That will take away another wide option, and mean that Joelinton and Matt Ritchie could be forced to operate on the flanks.

Newcastle’s lack of wingers is far from ideal, with Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy also out of action. Fortunately, the former is nearing a return.

But it won’t be in time for Chelsea, which means that an injury-laden side will have to take on a team that has scored eight goals in their previous two games.