Taylor Payne, the host of The Athletic’s Pod on the Tyne podcast (March 11th, 09:23), believes that Miguel Almiron needs a break if he is to reach his peak level throughout the remainder of the season.

What’s the word?

Almiron has made 33 appearances in all competitions thus far this season, missing just one Premier League game, through injury, against Burnley.

He has played 90 minutes in nine of the last 10 outings but Payne believes that he appeared fatigued against Southampton at the weekend.

Newcastle won the game 1-0, with the Paraguay international playing as a second striker under Steve Bruce.

And Payne said: “This was the first time I thought he looked a bit tired, against Southampton.

“I thought he just looked like he’d maybe run around a bit too much against West Brom and his legs were starting to get a bit heavy.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen it since he came, and I thought maybe the kid needs a little bit of a break.”

A football legend: Can you get over 80% on this Gazza quiz? Find out now…

Rotation needed

Newcastle need to find a player who can lighten the load on Almiron somewhat.

While he is 26, hardly a “kid”, he has been flogged to within an inch of his life by manager Steve Bruce throughout the season.

It hasn’t really worked, either, given that he has scored just two Premier League goals and provided one assist, with none since the middle of January.

He has also played in every FA Cup game, against the likes of Rochdale, Oxford United and West Bromwich Albion, and one has to feel that rotation will soon be necessary.

There aren’t an abundance of options for Bruce to call upon but, at the very least, giving him some time on the bench would be wise, and allow him to maximise his ability as the season reaches its conclusion.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are monitoring a Championship ace!