Does Miguel Almiron have a fighting chance of being fit in time for Newcastle United's crucial Premier League run-in?
Well, the Paraguayan playmaker is certainly keen to ensure he has the best possible chance of cutting down the initial six-week estimation on his absence. Almiron was a shock omission from the team sheet on the night Newcastle beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the City Ground just six days ago.
In the aftermath of the victory in the East Midlands, Howe spoke of an absence that could take us to the end of April. However, it looks like Newcastle - who withdrew Almiron from international duty last week - are prepared to give him every possible chance of being fit sooner.
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The current timescale would see Almiron back in time for the home clash against Southampton on April 30. But whether Almiron feels he can get back before then, potentially away to Everton three days earlier or the important home clash with Tottenham Hotspur on April 23 - or even earlier - remains to be seen.
Almiron is already back in the gym after the thigh injury sustained in training last week and posted a picture on his Instagram with a "non-stop" caption on it. Howe had stated last week: "Miggy pulled a thigh muscle in training. Unfortunately, it’s quite a bad one. It’s going to be six weeks."
Yet the early return of Newcastle's 11-goal top scorer would prove to be a major boost. Having been rested just a week before against Wolverhampton Wanderers he responded in the best way possible by scoring the winner against the men from Molineux.
As Almiron screamed passionately into the crowd in the corner of the Leazes End, he did not look like the type of man who gives up on things easily. And he will be champing at the bit to make an earlier-than-expected return to training.
Howe's team are currently in Dubai with the preparations for their clash against Manchester United quietly taking place. Newcastle are hoping that a stint in the sunshine will also aid Anthony Gordon's injured ankle.
Gordon has yet to make the impact he wanted since his £45million move from Everton in January but the Scouser will be keen to play his part in the charge towards the Champions League places. Howe stated that "the aim" was to get Gordon back for the Man United game on April 2 meaning a big few days lie ahead in the United Arab Emirates.
