Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is delighted with the season form of Miguel Almiron.

After watching Almiron make a clean sweep of October's awards for player of the month and goal of the month, Howe could not be happier with his eight-goal top scorer.

Howe told Chronicle Live: "I am certainly enjoying watching him play at the moment. Even in the Palace game in the cup he came on and had the best chance of the game.

"He's just in that frame of mind at the moment. He is enjoying himself. Miggy is free, physically and emotionally, and playing very, very well. It's a great thing to witness."

The Magpies signed off before the World Cup break with a League Cup win over Crystal Palace and a Premier League victory against Chelsea. Despite a clutch of stars heading to Qatar, Howe noted one big factor that sums up the team spirit at Newcastle these days.

Howe said: "Going back to even the Crystal Palace game, you could see the guys were desperate to get on the pitch, the ones going to the World Cup.

"They wanted to help contribute and that has been a brilliant thing for me to see as a manager. The players were in the moment and want to help the team."