Miguel Almiron is closing in on a return to Atlanta United, with the player ready to travel to the United States in the coming days to finalise an emotional reunion with the MLS side.

Eddie Howe has made the decision to give Newcastle United's senior stars, including Almiron, a few days off after a fatigued defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday. The hope is some rest and relaxation before returning to training later in the week will inspire an improved performance against rock-bottom Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Almiron was an unused substitute in the 4-1 thrashing by Bournemouth over the weekend but it is currently touch and go as to whether he is involved at St Mary's on Saturday. The player is currently enjoying a break away from Tyneside with family but is on standby to jet across the pond as Atlanta add the final touches on a deal for the 30-year-old.

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Newcastle are poised to allow Almiron to depart for a fee of $12m [£10m]. This, despite Howe being hesitant to lose the Paraguayan international given Newcastle's current PSR situation, with the Magpies unable to spend big this month.

Losing Almiron may bring in much-needed funds in the club's ongoing financial battle but the boss is already concerned with how thin his squad is looking at present.

"It’s not ideal,’ Howe said when asked about Almiron last week. "But I don’t think it’s ideal from anyone’s viewpoint. From our side, we don’t want to lose players.

"But we know that there is a reality to PSR and the ongoing managing of that situation. So sometimes we are making decisions not based on football, but based on decisions we potentially have to make for the future."