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Jamie Carragher believes the time is right for Miguel Almiron to be dropped from the Newcastle United starting line-up.

Almiron was part of the Newcastle side that was beaten by Aston Villa on Monday night, with two first half goals from Conor Hourihane and Anwar El Ghazi handing Dean Smith’s side a 2-0 win.

But despite showing plenty of effort and endeavour in his performances for the club, Almiron is still searching for his first goal in Toon colours and endured another frustrating night at Villa Park.

And Carragher believes now is the time for Paraguay international to come out of the team.

“When I watch Almiron, he almost looks like he’s on fast forward,” the former Liverpool man said on Monday Night Football.

“The pace breaking is fantastic but the lack of quality in front of the goal really let them down but it was more before they even got to the finish tonight.

“They’re dangerous but the lack of quality massively lets them down. We’re laughing because in some ways we like what we’re seeing in terms of the burst of pace, you think it’s a nightmare for defenders, but I do think it has come to the stage now where Almiron has to come out the team.

“He hasn’t scored a goal or created a goal in how many games? 23.

“In some ways I feel a bit sorry for him, I felt that when he came in under Rafa he was trying too hard, but now you’re getting to the stage where you are worried if there is actually enough quality there to be in this team and in the Premier League.

“He had a tough start, a new manager comes in and he’s starting a new season, but to not get a goal or an assist, that’s actually hard to do if you’re an attacking player. I think it might be time for him to come out.”