Steve Bruce has to decide whether Allan Saint-Maximin will start for Newcastle United against Leicester City but the Magpies' head coach has not considered dropping Miguel Almiron because 'hopefully he will get a goal and that will turn it around a bit'.
Saint-Maximin made his first appearance in a month as a 73rd-minute substitute in the 0-0 draw against Brighton last time out after previously being sidelined by a hamstring injury.
The 22-year-old has worked closely with rehabilitation fitness coach Cristian Fernandez to build up his fitness levels following a disrupted pre-season.
Saint-Maximin has joined in with full-contact training with the rest of his team-mates and Bruce has been given 'food for thought in the attacking areas'.
“I have got to make that decision. Is he fit to start? It is still niggling around where mentally he still feels he is not quite 100%. I will see what today and tomorrow brings. I hope so," he told reporters.
Since Saint-Maximin hobbled off at Spurs last month, Bruce has stuck with Joelinton, Christian Atsu and Almiron up front in the Premier League but the trio have just a goal between them this season.
But if the Frenchman does come back in, it seems it won't be Almiron who will drop to the bench despite missing a couple of good chances to end his goal drought in black and white in recent weeks.
"I haven’t thought about him coming out the team because I think he’s a very, very good player. I’ve got to stick with him because hopefully he will get a goal and that will turn it around a bit," Bruce said.
"He takes the ball. His willingness is remarkable. However, he’s got to be a bit more selfish himself and hopefully score a goal. Once he gets one it will change for him.
"The biggest problem with Miggy is always a type like him is: Where do you play him? What is his best position? He’s a really, really good footballer. That's the key to it. He’s not an out and out centre-forward or a natural No 10 either. He’s an old-fashioned inside forward, so we have go to try and get the best out of him. In that position, he's got to score a goal. We understand that."
Andy Carroll also came on against Brighton, making his second debut for his boyhood club at St James' Park after eight months out with an ankle injury.
Newcastle have been keen to manage Carroll's workload in training to ensure his ankle does not have an adverse reaction and Bruce is hopeful the 30-year-old could start a game before Christmas.
“A lot depends on them and how he manages training. He has worked well and he has only been going for 10 days or so," he added. "He will have to be a lot longer on the training ground and on the pitch to be sure he is 100% right."
