Newcastle forward Miguel Almiron has rejected the notion that his remarkable stretch of form has been spurred on by Jack Grealish after he was crowned the Premier League's October Player of the Month.
Almiron has enjoyed a renaissance in his Newcastle career this season having scored eight goals in total - six in October alone - to aid their climb up the table under Eddie Howe.
It is Almiron's first time winning the award.
There had been suspicions that Almiron was being motivated and driven on by Grealish, who made disparaging comments to Bernardo Silva at Manchester City's title parade in May relating to Almiron.
Asked by Silva what the secrets to City's comeback against Villa was, Grealish replied: 'There were two. Riyad (Mahrez), take him off the pitch, as soon as possible. He played like (Miguel) Almiron.
'Secondly, he (pointing at Bernardo Silva), he has been so good this season but get him off the pitch.'
Asked on Friday whether the incident had inspired him on to previously unprecedented heights for himself this season, Almiron told Sky Sports that the award was down to his own hard work.
'I don’t think anything that Jack [Grealish] said has got anything to do with the great form and performances that we've been showing as a group of players,' he said.
'Jack is a great player first and foremost and I wish him all the best, but this success is down to work, work and even more hard work.'
Almiron had previously told the Newcastle Chronicle that he did not focus on the comments too much, choosing instead to concentrate on his own game.
'All that incident did really was highlight that when that type of thing happens here it shows the greatness of the Newcastle supporters,' he said.
I actually did not pay too much attention to the comments at first I will be honest because I prefer to just get on with my job and do my work in silence. I just get on with my work and the only thing that matters to me is to improve myself.
'When you achieve things in life it only comes through hard work and sacrifice anyway, especially in football, it's never through words.
'At the time when the (Grealish) stuff all came up, I was then filled with happiness and pride with the way the Newcastle supporters rallied around me.
'They showed their support at that point and it was really important.'
He added that he bears no grudge towards the City star.
'Would I shake his hand the next time we line up to play Man City. Yes, I would.
'Of course, I'd shake hands with him, whenever we play against Man City without a shadow of a doubt.
'Like I have said and as I keep on insisting to people Jack Grealish is a great player and I just wish him all the best.'
Almiron's stunning month has helped Newcastle to third in the league, seven points off leaders Arsenal. They face Chelsea on Saturday evening bidding to go nine points clear of Graham Potter's side.