FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Fulham v Newcastle United - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - January 27, 2024 Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe before the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo
(Reuters) - Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe hopes to have several key players back in the squad including attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron as they look to end a four-match losing streak in the Premier League when they visit Aston Villa on Tuesday.
The Paraguay international, who has started 18 league games this season, has not played for two weeks due to illness.
However, central defender Jamaal Lascelles may miss the game due to a calf injury, Howe told reporters on Monday.
"We hope Miggy will be with us. Jamaal, I’m not so sure about. It's not a serious injury but I think it might be enough to keep him out of this game, it will be close," Howe said.
Newcastle have been without a number of regulars through injury in a run of six defeats over their last seven league games but Howe hopes some will return in the coming weeks.
"Harvey (Barnes) is getting closer. He's probably the closest, along with Callum (Wilson). Then you go a little bit further back to Joe (Willock) and a bit further again to Elliot (Anderson)," Howe said.
Newcastle thrashed Villa 5-1 at St James' Park in August but have been unable to maintain any momentum and are in 10th place with 29 points, while Villa are fourth, 14 points above them.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
