EDDIE Howe admits Miguel Almiron could be on the move before the end of the transfer window - but praised Lloyd Kelly for the way the defender has dealt with Fenerbahce’s high-profile pursuit.

Almiron will be in the Newcastle squad for Saturday's game at Southampton but Howe has now acknowledged the winger could be in the final stages of his time on Tyneside. He's expected to join Atlanta United.

Despite the expectation of his imminent exit, Almiron has continued to impress Howe behind the scenes at Newcastle.

“I think Miggy's head has been very, very solidly here," said Howe.

“He's been brilliant in training this week. I've seen not one moment where I thought, oh, I need to address this or speak to him or have a deeper conversation. I think we're both aware of the situation.

“Yes, there is interest in him from other clubs. There is potential a chance he could leave before the window, but until that moment and if that moment never arrives, he's still a valuable member of the squad. We love him to bits.

“He's got a great energy and character that's never changed for a second. He's been the ultimate professional and let's see what happens.”

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Kelly has also been the subject of transfer interest this month, with Fenerbahce’s vice-president Acun Ilicah publicly declaring the Turkish club's interest in the defender.

Howe said:  “I've seen a little bit of the speculation on Lloyd. We've certainly not had any bid anywhere close to making the club make a decision on that.

“Lloyd's an integral part of what we're doing from my perspective. His challenge is to try and work his way into the team.

“He's only just arrived, so I think he's got a lot to achieve here. So, a very different situation.”

On Fenerbahce going public, Howe added: “Well, I think whenever your players are talked about by other clubs, I don't think that's ideal. And certainly, I try not to do that myself regarding players contracted to other clubs as well.

“It's not ideal, but I haven't seen Lloyd distracted. I haven't seen a player whose head and heart are not in Newcastle, which is really important for me. If that was the case, then I'd certainly be addressing that with him.

“He's trained well. He's fighting for a place and that's what I expect him to do.”

Howe isn't expecting any arrivals at Newcastle ahead of the deadline a week on Monday.

He said: “I don’t know how many times I’ve got to say it. You never say never, I don’t want people playing this back to me saying I lied, but at this moment we have not been active in terms of incomings.

“I’m certainly not lying. I would never intentionally lie to the supporters or anybody. We are not in a position to be active in the market as we sit here now. That might change if something happens [in terms of outgoings].

“My wish has always been to try and recruit a player every window, to bring that fresh face, to boost everybody, to increase competition, loads of healthy reasons and research behind that and we’ve always feel we’ve done well off the back of that.

“Now of course we did bring players in in the summer, yeah, a different type of profile of signing and I think that is certainly a challenge for us.”