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Stuart Jamieson

Almiron's appearance, Shelvey's gym session: what we spotted from Newcastle United training pictures

Newcastle United players have had a full week to prepare for this weekend's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace - and put the 1-0 defeat to Burnley behind them.

The Magpies went to Turf Moor in excellent form, but Steve Bruce's injury-hit side didn't get into gear in the North West, going down to a Chris Wood goal.

Bruce is hoping to have Miguel Almiron and Jonjo Shelvey available to him against Roy Hodgson's Palace on Saturday, but Allan Saint-Maximin, Matt Ritchie and Jamaal Lascelles are all still ruled out.

As the players were put through their paces in training on Thursday ahead of the big clash, here are some of the key things we noticed.

Miguel Almiron is back on the training pitch

Isaac Hayden (Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Almiron's form as been the source of much debate this season, but there is no doubt United missed the Paraguayan at Burnley.

Bruce is hopeful the forward will return this weekend after a hamstring injury and, while he is not pictured specifically in any of the photographs, he can be seen taking part in training in the background.

Almiron can be made out in the shot of Isaac Hayden (above), suggesting he could be closing in on full fitness.

Jonjo Shelvey's in the gym

Jonjo Shelvey lifts weights in the gym (Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Another man to miss Burnley, Shelvey was pictured using the weights in the gym. The Magpies' midfielder has been in excellent form of late, scoring against Manchester City, Sheffeld United and Southampton, but although he was not pictured in the outside sessions, he was hopeful to be back in training ahead of Palace.

Speaking earlier this week, he said: "It was probably key to miss one game rather than six or seven if I'd made it worse, but I should be back training by Thursday so it'll give me a chance to play on Saturday."

Dwight Gayle looking sharp

Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United via Getty Images)

 

The former Crystal Palace forward is yet to start a game under Bruce - and missed a great opportunity to level things up at Turf Moor.

With Saint-Maximin ruled out, the United boss may be tempted to change formation and go with two up front, with Gayle a potential candidate to play off either Joelinton or Andy Carroll.

The last time Bruce tried this it failed spectacularly, with the 5-0 defeat at Leicester - when Yoshinori Muto started as part of a front two with Joelinton - serving as a warning over the perils of changing a tried and tested set up.

But judging by these pictures Gayle is fired up and in good spirits ahead of the clash against his former side.

Under-8s have a day to remember

Andy Carroll (C) meets some aspiring footballers (Newcastle United via Getty Images)

United players took time out from training to meet players from the club's under-eights side.

They had been invited along to training ground to watch the first team in action, and Bruce, Andy Carroll and Paul Dummett were among those who spent some time with the youngsters.

Rare sighting of some old faces

Jack Colback (C) (Newcastle United via Getty Images)

 

Jack Colback and Henri Saivet may have missed out on a place in United's Premier League squad, but the pair are still very much involved in training.

With the January window just around the corner, both could potentially be heading for the exit door if a club comes knocking.

Karl Darlow is back

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow (Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Rob Elliot made a rare appearance on the subs' bench at Burnley after Karl Darlow was ruled out through injury. But the former Nottingham Forest shot-stopper was back in training this week. Whether he is able to take his place in the squad remains to be seen, but United are well stocked when it comes to goalkeeping experience, should Martin Dubravka pick up a knock.

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