MIGUEL ALMIRON is not involved in Newcastle United's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Fulham this afternoon.

However, the Paraguayan's absence from the game at Craven Cottage is not connected to this week's transfer speculation linking him with a possible move to Saudi Arabia.

Instead, Newcastle officials have stated that Almiron is absent because he is suffering from an illness.

The South American began to feel ill on Thursday evening, and was forced to miss training yesterday.

Magpies skipper Jamaal Lascelles is also not part of the squad at Fulham, with his absence due to a calf injury that is not believed to be too serious.

Jacob Murphy replaces Almiron in the starting line-up, with the winger making his first appearance since suffering a recurrence of a dislocated shoulder in November's win over Arsenal.

That is the only change to the side that started against Manchester City in Newcastle's most recent fixture, with Bruno Guimaraes once again playing alongside Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley in midfield.


FULHAM (4-3-3): Rodak; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Lukic, Pereira; Wilson, Decordova-Reid, Muniz.

Subs: Benda, Tosin, Castagne, Palhinha, Francois, Cairney, Willian, Jimenez, Vinicius.


NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Miley; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

Subs: Karius, Dummett, Ritchie, Krafth, Hall, Livramento, A Murphy, Parkinson, Hernes.