Newcastle United could welcome back top scorer Miguel Almiron against Aston Villa this Saturday lunchtime (kick-off 12:30pm).
The Paraguayan hasn’t featured since scoring the winner in the 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, March 12 after picking up a thigh injury.
Almiron has missed wins over Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, West Ham United & Brentford - and wasn’t expected to return for another fortnight following an initial timescale of six weeks.
However, the 29-year-old has been spotted back in training this week ahead of the visit to the Midlands.
Two of the Premier League’s most in-form teams go head-to-head at Villa Park.
Five straight wins have propelled the Magpies back into the Champions League qualification picture, while Villa’s equally as good form has saw Unai Emery’s men enter the conversation for the top six.
Indeed, Villa are unbeaten in their last seven matches (W6 D1) and will look to avenge their 4-0 defeat at St James’ Park earlier in the campaign.
NewcastleWorld takes a look at which players are expected to miss the encounter:
5. Allan Saint-Maximin - out
Saint-Maximin missed United’s 2-1 win at Brentford and is expected be sidelined for a couple of weeks. | Getty Images
6. Philippe Coutinho - out
Coutinho has missed all of Villa’s seven-game unbeaten run because of a hamstring injury. | Getty Images
7. Leon Bailey - out
Bailey was substituted in the win over Forest on Saturday with a suspected hamstring injury. Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
8. Ryan Fraser - out
Fraser is likely to have played his last game for Newcastle after falling out with Howe. The winger’s currently training with the under-21s. Photo: Jan Kruger