This is why Miguel Almiron could miss two Newcastle United games

Miguel Almiron could be forced to quarantine.

Miguel Almiron’s facing a 10-day spell in quarantine on his return from international duty with Paraguay.

The Newcastle United midfielder – who has come to the fore since Graeme Jones’s arrival at the club late last month – is set to be called up for World Cup qualifiers against Chile away and Colombia at home next month.

However, Paraguay and Chile are on the Government’s “red list” of countries, and returning travellers must complete a 10-day period of Covid-19 isolation. Crucially, there’s no exemption for professional athletes.

As it stands, 27-year-old Almiron – who has scored four Premier League goals so far this season – would miss the April 3 home game against Tottenham Hotspur and the April 10 away game against Burnley on his return to England.

FIFA have an exemption rule which would allow clubs to prevent their players from linking up with their countries if they would they have to self-isolate for an extended period on their return.

Premier League clubs are reportedly planning to appeal to the Government for an easing of the rules to allow tested players to go from international bubbles to club bubbles without the need for quarantine.

Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker, James Rodriguez and Diogo Jota are among the other players who could be affected.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has voiced his concerns over international travel.

“The Premier League should be concerned about this,’ said Guardiola. “Something is going to rise, unfortunately.

"I would love to say it’s not going to happen, but it’s already happened in two or three waves. The moment you take planes, everything can happen.

“The experience shows us the only way to be safe is don’t move, to be tested a lot and stay at home. If you move, you risk to be contaminated.

"The reason there is no cases in the Premier League is because people don’t move – be at home and the training centre. Game then home. When we relax a bit, it will come back again. That’s why until summer we have to be careful.”

There was a serious Covid-19 outbreak at Newcastle late last year which affected a number of players and members of staff.