Miguel Almiron fighting for his place but faces talks with Newcastle United at the end of season

Miguel Almiron will be on standby for Newcastle United's trip to Brentford with Ryan Fraser and Allan Saint-Maximin shaking off knocks.

It is a scenario that would have left Toon supporters shocked at one stage of his career but he is facing the biggest test of his time at St James' Park at the moment.

The Paraguay international, once a guaranteed starter as one of the club's most expensive signings, hasn't started a game in over two months and has been used sparingly by Eddie Howe.

Almiron showed he was more than committed to the black and white cause by posting a social media message proclaiming "no days off" and the playmaker still has two years left on his contract.

Fans wouldn't have seen it but at Leeds during the 1-0 win, Almiron celebrated the victory wildly on the bench at the final whistle - despite not getting on at Elland Road.

Almiron will be praying for a start soon but knows, even with knocks being assessed, he may have to wait.

The reality is, Fraser and Saint-Maximin would start at the Community Stadium this weekend if they were both declared fit and the bitter blow for Miggy on Saturday at West Ham was that Jacob Murphy got the nod to start on the left in the 1-1 draw.

Almiron did get on the pitch for an 11-minute cameo but was afforded just six touches.

Given Murphy has played 81 times at left-wing during his career compared to 33 for Almiron, it was perhaps no surprise that the ex-Norwich man was regarded as the more experienced choice.

Although, Eddie Howe admitted recently that training performances were "very important" and selection is tilted heavily towards what happens on the practice pitches at Benton.

One of the differences between Howe and previous boss Steve Bruce has been Almiron's