Newcastle United’s club-record signing Miguel Almiron will miss the rest of the season after suffering a hamstring injury.
The Paraguayan signed from MLS champions Atlanta United in January, and while he has struggled for goals, the versatile forward has impressed the Toon faithful.
Almiron has been key to the resurgence in form that has kept Newcastle away from immediate relegation trouble.
His £24m signing was seen as the start of a new era in Tyneside with Mike Ashley looking to sell the club and the strings of the transfer purse being loosened slightly.
However, no new contract has been agreed with coach Rafa Benitez ahead of the summer and the Spaniard could walk at season’s end.
Benitez is keen to stay at Newcastle but wants to use this opportunity to negotiate greater control of budgets, including both the wage bill and transfer kitty.
Italian media reported on Tuesday that Gennaro Gattuso could be in line to replace Benitez should he walk away from the club with no deal signed.
