Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez admits speaking with Miguel Almiron after his dismissal against Paraguay.

Almiron was sent off for Paraguay last week, making a knee-high horror tackle against Mexico just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute.

He now faces an international suspension after losing his temper as his team headed for defeat.

Benitez talked to Almiron when he arrived back on Tyneside to join preparations for Monday's trip to Arsenal and is happy with his state of mind — and backed the £20million new boy to get his first goal since joining from MLS champions Atlanta in January.

“When I saw him in the gym, he said he was fine," said the Magpies' boss. "I asked him again during the training session, asked if he was OK, and he said yes.

“I do not think he is the sort of player who would make a bad tackle on purpose. It was the situation. They were losing and he has this energy. But mentally, he is ready and he is training well.

“They play a game before training and he was training with the others and enjoying himself. I think he was fine."