NEWCASTLE’S coaching team are confident Miguel Almiron has not been adversely affected by the speculation over his future in the last couple of weeks.

Almiron was the subject of a formal approach from Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab, who were hoping to sign him in the final few days of the transfer window.

However, with Eddie Howe adamant he did not want to lose one of his key attacking players, the talks broke down with the Paraguayan still on Tyneside.

Having missed last weekend’s FA Cup victory at Fulham through illness, Almiron was back in the squad for Tuesday’s win at Aston Villa and helped set up Newcastle’s third goal as his cross was eventually deflected in by Alex Moreno.

He is pushing for a return to the starting side as Newcastle host Luton Town this afternoon, with Jason Tindall confident his state of mind has not been affected by last month’s transfer talk.

Tindall, who was standing in for an ill Eddie Howe at yesterday’s pre-match press conference, said: “We spoke to Miggy a couple of times last week and anyone who has come into contact with Miggy will know what an unbelievable lad he is.

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“He’s never a second problem. He trains to his maximum every single day and every time he puts on a Newcastle shirt you can see the level of effort he always gives to the team and the club.

“He's fine. To come on at Aston Villa, when he was probably only 50 per cent from a physical perspective, because he was really under the weather for the previous few days, so to come out and deliver the performance he did and to run as much as he did is testament to him and his character.”

Kieran Trippier was also the subject of outside interest last month, with Bayern Munich having two offers for the England full-back rejected.

Callum Wilson was another player to be linked with a possible move away from Tyneside, with Howe also admitting that Joelinton could be sold in the summer if he does not agree the terms of a new contract, but Tindall is adamant the current squad remains as focused and unified as ever.

He said: “I think it’s probably felt a little bit different in the sense that there's been a lot of speculation, in terms of a lot of our players linked with other clubs.

“But we've got an exceptional group of players in the changing room, very level-headed, very professional, and just touching on Miggy and Tripps, that goes for the whole group of players.

“Their commitment to this football club has always been there and that won't change. What gets said, and what speculation there is out there, won't change their mentality towards their performance for the club.”