We have to finish the season well, says Almirón

The Magpies’ penultimate game of a punishing Premier League campaign takes them to the Amex Stadium for what will be their tenth outing since the restart less than a month ago.

Steve Bruce’s side have a handful of injury concerns ahead of the long trip south but winger Almirón says Newcastle are determined to recapture their form before the end of 2019/20 after losing their last three games.

“They’re not going to be an easy opponent at all. Brighton are a good side with some good players in their squad, and they will be going all out to get the points,” said the 26-year-old.

“Now, for us, it’s all about finishing the league as well as we can in these two remaining games. At the start of the restart, I think we started well and we were playing quite well.

“Maybe now you’re just beginning to see the signs of a little bit of tiredness creeping in, but we want to do as well as we possibly can in our two remaining games, including Brighton.”

Monday’s hosts have secured their place in the Premier League for another season after some strong showings in the past four weeks, and Paraguayan international Almirón knows they will be in for a stern test on the south coast.

But with eight goals to show so far for his first full season at St. James’ Park, Almirón says he is relishing the challenge of proving himself in a league deemed by many to be the most competitive in the world.

“I knew it was going to be a tough and very competitive league, and it’s been exactly like that really,” he said. “It’s a very, very tough league to play in, full of big teams who make life difficult for you. It is a challenge, but as players that’s what we like – we like challenges to motivate ourselves, and that’s the reason I’m really, really happy here at Newcastle.

“As an individual, I use every training session and every game to try and improve myself as a player. By doing that along with your teammates and working hard, you’re trying to improve the club and improve its position. That’s what we’re always trying to do here.”

Almirón’s form has been particularly impressive since he broke his duck for the club in December’s home victory over Crystal Palace.

And the former Atlanta flier says he is enjoying working with head coach Steve Bruce, who has deployed him in all but two top flight games this term.

“I feel really good working with Steve as my manager. He’s a great coach on the training field as is also a top person as well – a really nice guy,” said Almirón.

“I feel like I’m always learning something from him, and that’s something I’m really enjoying.”