Newcastle United have included Allan Saint-Maximin and Andy Carroll in their squad for Saturday’s clash with Brighton and Hove Albion.
The attacking pair have both missed a number of games after signing for the Magpies through the summer, and are set to hand Steve Bruce a boost.
Bruce confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Friday, as quoted by journalist Lee Ryder on his personal Twitter account that they will be involved at St James’ Park.
Carroll has yet to play a game this season after arriving on a free transfer, and Saint-Maximin was forced off the field with an injury in the 1-0 victory against Tottenham.
OPINION
This will be a great boost for Newcastle and Bruce, who are crying out for attacking reinforcements this season already. The Magpies have yet to score more than one goal in a single game so far, and record-signing Joelinton hasn’t exactly hit the ground running in the North East. Looking at his bench towards the end of games at the beginning of this season will have been a sore sight for Bruce’s eyes, with Yoshinori Muto the only available forward. The Japanese striker has only scored twice in 23 appearances for the Magpies, and the introduction of both Carroll and Saint-Maximin will bring much-needed depth. The French winger will no doubt excite fans after he completed an average of 4.2 dribbles per game last season according to WhoScored – something that will help open up the opposition defence in the final third and possibly create more chances in the process. Carroll has the Premier League experience behind him to help the Magpies this season, and his physicality and aerial presence is always a major threat whether coming off the bench or starting in games.
