Newcastle United transfer hint as £21m man expected at training ground ahead of Aston Villa clash

Newcastle United hope to welcome back Miguel Almiron into their squad for Tuesday night's Premier League clash away to Aston Villa (kick-off 8:15pm).

The 29-year-old has attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League and his absence for Saturday's FA Cup win at Fulham through illness further fuelled talk of a potential exit.

But United boss Eddie Howe insisted the Paraguayan was "genuinely ill". With three more days to recover, Howe hopes Almiron will train on Monday and be available for the visit to Villa Park.

However, Jamaal Lascelles, who has been linked with Turkish giants Besiktas, won't return because of a calf injury.

“We hope Miggy will be with us," said Howe. "Jamaal I’m not so sure about. It’s not a serious injury but I think it might be enough to keep him out of this game. We’ll wait and see, I think he’ll be close. But we certainly hope to have Miggy with us."

Will Almiron train today? “I hope so," added Howe. "Unless you know different to me.”

Howe said last Friday it "wouldn't make sense" to offer Callum Wilson to other clubs amid links to AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and multiple Premier League clubs. When asked by NewcastleWorld if the same to Almiron, Howe replied: "100%."

Almiron involvement at Aston Villa could be defining with the Saudi Arabia transfer window shutting on the same evening. Howe has maintained his stance that he doesn't want to lose any members of his first-team squad.

Howe said: “It’s a complex situation. I don’t think anything is clear-cut. All eventualities can happen. Probably what we won't do is bring in a player without losing one the other way, I think that’d be impossible. But I think all other options could still happen."

He added: “Keeping the squad intact, as the manager, trying to produce a team to win games would be the one for me," said Howe when for his ideal scenario. "But we are guardians of the club’s future and we want to make the right decisions for the club’s future and for FFP.

"We don’t want to breach FFP. That is where I will support the decisions that are made for the long term and that will benefit the club.”