'Sums up the team' - Howe loved Guimaraes' gesture towards Newcastle teammate Almiron

Almiron has been in scintillating form for the Magpies, scoring six goals during the month of October to help Howe's side break into the top four.

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Newcastle have staged an incredible upturn in form having won five of their last six games with South American stars Guimaraes and Almiron at the heart of the club's revival.

Newcastle boast three players in the mix for October's Premier League award with captain Kieran Trippier joining Guimaraes and Almiron as candidates to scoop the prize.

In a fabulous gesture of goodwill, Brazil international Guimaraes took to social media to urge fans to vote for Almiron instead of Trippier and himself.

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He tweeted; "Very proud to be running for the best of the month again, but I wanted to ask you to vote from miggy, even if me and @trippier2 are doing well, miggy is living his dreams."

Howe was quizzed on the tweet and immediately paid tribute to the togetherness in his squad.

"That was a lovely gesture," said Howe in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Southampton.

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"There was no game attached to that - he was genuine in his love for Miggy. He feels Miggy deserves the accolade. It does sum up Bruno. It does sum up the team."

Almiron's form is his best since arriving at St. James' Park in 2019 and his seven goals so far this term should eclipse his season-best for the Magpies of eight goals during his first campaign.

The Paraguayan has received a host of plaudits for his recent exploits, not least from Howe who praised the in-form star for his prolific spell in front of goal.

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Howe continued: "We don't expect Miggy to be scoring shots from 30 yards every week. If you put the recent strikes together, you get a showreel of outstanding goals. But I get just as much pleasure from his second goal at Fulham which was from six yards out."

Newcastle head to St. Mary's on Sunday knowing a victory would see them leapfrog Tottenham into third place ahead of Spurs' clash with Liverpool later in the afternoon.

With the Magpies deservedly sitting in the lofty heights of the top four, Howe was keeping his feet firmly on the ground when asked if the club were exceeding expectations this season.

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He added: "I don't know [if we're exceeding]. It depends who is setting the expectations. I always say when I sit here that we plan to win, that's our expectation. I've been very pleased with the consistency of our training and performances - and I want us to continue that to the best of our ability."

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