TalkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino has questioned Steve Bruce’s decision to play Miguel Almiron last night for Newcastle United.
The Paraguay international was something of a surprise inclusion last night following a stint on the sidelines.
Almiron went off injured at half-time in the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.
An initial statement from the club had stated that the 27-year-old would not be back until April.
But clearly his recovery was better than expected, and he got 76 minutes against the Seagulls.
But Cascarino wasn’t buying that he was fit, saying on talkSPORT: “Almiron was never fit. I know he’s been injured, but it’s a bad mistake, especially in the modern game.
“You can’t get away with picking players like you did 20 and 30 years ago.
“He was clearly not fit, Almiron.”
Newcastle’s situation demanded he played
Such is the alarming situation at Newcastle right now, the best players cannot be rested.
But of course, it never needed to come to relying on players lacking match fitness.
Had Mike Ashley replaced Bruce weeks ago, there likely would have been a bigger gap to the relegation zone.
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