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Newcastle team news vs Wolves: Predicted line-up - Almiron on the bench, four return
NEWCASTLE newboy Miguel Almiron is unlikely to be handed a place in the starting XI for this evening’s match against Wolves.
Almiron joined Newcastle from MLS side Atlanta United on transfer deadline day for a club-record fee of £21million.
The Paraguay international has yet to feature for Rafael Benitez’s side, who are in the midst of a relegation battle.
His absence was initially down to a lack of match fitness, which he insists is now a thing of the past.
Although he’s fit and raring to go, Benitez has hinted the 25-year-old will have to settle for a place on the bench at Molineux.
"He is fine and he is fit. He has good stamina, good pace, he's quite mobile, quite dynamic, so he's OK," Benitez said of Almiron.
"He has been training OK, and now it's just a question of putting him on the pitch and seeing how he copes with the tackles.
"I need to decide [if he will be in the squad for Monday] because we have too many players fit, but he has a chance to be in the squad."
Newcastle will be boosted by the return of four outfield players for their trip to Wolverhampton.
He has a chance to be in the squad
Left-back Paul Dummett, goalkeeper Karl Darlow and midfielders Ki Sung-Yeung and Mo Diame are all available for selection following their recoveries from hamstring, elbow and hip injuries.
Jonjo Shelvey and Rob Elliot won’t be available, though, as they’re both recovering from thigh and back injuries respectively.
"We are much better with injuries. Apart from Jonjo and Elliot, the rest of the team are fine and have been training," Benitez said.
"So everybody else is fit and available. [We have decisions to make] not just in terms of the starting XI, but also the 18 players that you have to put into the squad.
"Always it's important to have everybody back if it's possible, but especially at this time [of season] when you are playing for everything.
"Players can be more tired, it could be more risky for everyone because at this stage of the season they accumulate so many minutes that that's when you have more problems.
"So it's good to have more bodies, more competition, and hopefully in the end that will be good for the team."
Newcastle go into tonight’s match against seventh-placed Wolves occupying 17th place in the league table.
They’re currently level on points with 18th-placed Southampton but have better goal difference than the south coast club.
Newcastle predicted line-up vs Wolves - Premier League
4-3-3: Dubravka, Yedlin, Lascelles, Schar, Dummet, Atsu, Hayden, Longstaff, Ritchie, Perez, Rondon