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Chris Knight

Newcastle evening headlines: Almiron's future, Fraser injury latest and Howe on rotation

Miguel Almiron's representatives are refusing to be drawn on talk about a potential summer exit from Newcastle United. Elsewhere, Ryan Fraser could miss the rest of the season through injury.

Here are your Newcastle United headlines for April 22.

Almiron's future

Miguel Almiron is still very much in Eddie Howe's thoughts ahead of what is expected to be a hectic summer on Tyneside.

Howe has tried to manage expectations in terms of summer business but with new players already shortlisted but with 32 senior players already on board, movement is inevitable in the next couple of months. Almiron and his representatives have refused to get drawn into talk of a summer exit in the last week or so and for now Chronicle Live understands they want his football to do the talking.

That is a situation that will suit Howe and his backroom team absolutely fine and actions spoke louder than words against Crystal Palace in the narrow but professional 1-0 win on Wednesday night.

Howe on run-in

Eddie Howe has vowed that Newcastle United players and staff will give their all to try and win every game in the run-in - whether the Magpies are facing bottom of the table Norwich City or title-chasing Man City.

Newcastle are all but safe after hitting the 40-point mark following a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace at St James' Park on Wednesday night. However, while there have been occasions in the last decade where Newcastle's form has tailed off later in the campaign, there is a lot still riding on the coming weeks.

As well as potentially mounting a late push for the top 10 - Newcastle are just a point off ninth-placed Leicester City in the table - these players are still fighting for their futures. Howe is making assessments on his squad every day and you can be sure that will be at the back of his players' minds as they look to prove they can continue to play a part in this new era.

Newcastle's upcoming opponents - Norwich City, Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal and Burnley - certainly won't be lacking motivation against the black-and-whites as these teams all desperately need points to either stay up, qualify for the Champions League or win the league. Newcastle and Aston Villa are the only sides left who will face both Liverpool and Man City this season, and Howe certainly does not see these games as free hits.

Fraser latest

Eddie Howe has given an update on the fitness status of Ryan Fraser following a further scan on his hamstring injury. The Scotland international has missed the last two matches after coming off in the opening stages of the 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James' Park. Since then he has had two opinions over the muscle problem.

Howe said today: "Ryan Fraser is relatively good news, but he's in a race to be fit this season."

Newcastle go into the game against Norwich City on the back of three grueling, albeit successful encounters in the Premier League against Wolves, Leicester City and Crystal Palace and Howe hinted at some slight rotation.

Smith's view

Norwich City boss Dean Smith is hopeful his side can capitalise on Newcastle United's away form this weekend at Carrow Road. The Magpies have not won a Premier League match at Carrow Road since 1994 and are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the division.

The Canaries grabbed a point against the ten men of Newcastle at St. James' Park back in November and have had contrasting fortunes since then. The two sides were both locked in a battle against the drop but the Magpies have now hit 40 points for the campaign on the back of three consecutive home wins, and Eddie Howe's side are aiming for a top-half finish.

In contrast, Smith's side remain bottom of the Premier League and are eight points adrift from safety, with Everton in 17th place having played a game less than City. It would take quite something for the Canaries to overhaul that margin before the end of the season and they have just six games to do so.

Lewis chance

Northern Ireland international Jamal Lewis still has a future on Tyneside and could be back in a Toon shirt in pre-season. Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe says he has felt some of Lewis' pain in recent times after the left-back suffered a groin problem early in his reign at St James' Park.

Since then he has gone under the knife and was also left out of the 25-man Premier League squad due to January transfer activity. When asked about whether Lewis will figure next season, Howe said: "He's had a few operations and recently had another one.

"We hope this one has fixed his long-standing groin problem. It's been frustrating for him because he's not felt 100%.

"I'd love to see him back in pre-season and show us the player he can be."

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