MIGUEL ALMIRON and Jonjo Shelvey are winning their fitness fights to face Crystal Palace, according to Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce this morning.

Both players missed the trip to Burnley last week and the Magpies suffered defeat at Turf Moor.

Almiron was struggling with a hamstring and Shelvey had a calf problem but after a week’s training on Tyneside they look set to face the Eagles, although winger Allan Saint-Maximim is missing.

“Almiron and Shelvey have a chance,” said Bruce. “Too early for Saint-Maxim, Ki Sung-yeung and Ciaran Clark, still struggling, Matt Ritchie and Jamaal Lascelles are not there.

"From last week, Almiron and Shelvey have a chance. They trained yesterday. We haven’t seen them today just yet, they seemed OK.

“I wouldn’t take a risk if I didn’t think they were right, that would have been last week. You let them recover, with a muscle you are always on edge.

“But I think they have done enough in the gym to make sure they are OK. We weren’t quite the same last week, but we have to find a way. Palace, watching them Monday, they have six or seven out as well. We have to find a way to win.”

Almiron’s wait for his first goal for Newcastle since signing for £21m in January goes on, but Bruce has not qualms about throwing him back into his side.

Bruce said: “I understand Almiron hasn’t scored. Last year he lit up the team in January, he gave the impetus to the team. Nothing has changed in terms of that as far as I’m concerned. He is a smashing player.

“We would love him to score more goals. He works every day as though it is his last. He is a wonderful professional. I have no problems with Almiron because of what he gives the team. If he scores great. At the moment I am very pleased with him.

“You always miss your good players, especially at the top end with him and Saint-Maximim missing. We paid a lot of money for the two of them, we brought them here to give us an edge. We missed them last week. Sometimes you become a better player by not playing.”