STEVE BRUCE is working on ways to make Miguel Almiron more dangerous in the final third as Newcastle United look to seal a first Premier League win under him at Norwich City today.

Since his record-busting £21m move from Atlanta United in January the Paraguayan has looked lively enough without finding the net, and that is in stark contrast to his time playing in Major League Soccer.

Almiron hit 22 goals and recorded 19 assists during his two years in the United States and was regarded as the league’s most valuable player in helping Atlanta to the title.

Seen as more of a playmaker, Bruce is now challenging him to play further up the field in a bid to help Newcastle’s new record buy Joelinton in attack.

Bruce said: “The big thing with Almiron is we’ve got to get him higher up the pitch, he’s doing a lot of his best work too deep. We’re trying this week to get him further up the pitch.

“He did a lot of good work in the first half (against Arsenal) in particular but a lot of it was away from their goal. Hopefully we can get him further up the pitch. He’s certainly a strange one, he’s very slight, but he quick and he is a natural footballer, a really good player.

“If we get him further up the pitch, hopefully he will score goals. I know it (MLS) is a different league but he scored goals for fun when he was playing away.

“He just needs a goal, probably since his debut when he hit the post and had one cleared off the line, it hasn’t really gone for him. He just needs one to fall for him and he’ll be ok I’m sure.”

While Almiron is set to face Norwich today, Newcastle do have a late fitness check to do on £20m winger Allan Saint-Maximim, who collected a hamstring problem against Arsenal. Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has shrugged off an ankle knock while Ki Sung-Yeung could slot in.