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Newcastle United duo Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff have struck up an unlikely and hugely successful central midfield partnership in recent weeks and helped the team to three successive wins at St James’ Park as a result, but manager Rafa Benitez needs to make a change so club-record addition Miguel Almiron can be even more effective.

On the chalkboard

Well, the Paraguay international has made two Premier League outings for the Magpies so far following his big-money move from Atlanta United during the January transfer window, and he was really impressive in the 2-0 win against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

The 25-year-old has the movement and the speed to cause real problems for opposition defences, and at times he is calling out for that vision and quality from the centre of the park – something that perhaps isn’t Hayden nor Longstaff’s forte despite their clear qualities.

Meanwhile, fellow Magpies midfielder Jonjo Shelvey had missed the Tyneside outfit’s previous five top-flight fixtures through injury prior to the visit of the Terriers, but he failed to make the matchday squad despite The Shields Gazette reporting last week that he was available for selection.

Time for a change?

Yes, it is.

Have the new Newcastle home and away kits for next season accidentally been leaked? See for yourself in the video below…

While Benitez obviously should reward Longstaff and Hayden for their fine performances by keeping them in the starting XI, he also needs to think about how he can make his team more impactful in the final third.

There is no doubt that having Almiron in the team – whether he is playing through the middle or out wide – will do that, but he needs the players who can pick out his clever runs and that means dropping one of the in-form pair.

Shelvey is undoubtedly someone who can do that and with the Toon Army relatively resolute at the back, they need the one-time Liverpool man back in the side pulling the strings during the run-in.