Allan Saint-Maximin could be close to a return to action for Newcastle United, Eddie Howe has confirmed.
What’s the latest Newcastle United injury news?
With Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes back in action, as well as Jonjo Shelvey reportedly making good progress on his injury, Eddie Howe’s side are seemingly coming through the injury problems that threatened to derail their start to the campaign.
While Alexander Isak is currently out of action, Howe could be in line for another boost for Saturday’s home game with Brentford.
Indeed, the head coach has confirmed Saint-Maximin returned to training last week and could be ready to feature for the first time since the draw at Wolves in August.
What has been said about Saint-Maximin?
In quotes posted by the club’s official Twitter account, Howe said: “Saint-Maximin trained with the team and trained well but, for me, it was too early to involve him at Fulham.
“We need to make when he comes back he’s fit enough to do himself and the team justice. Hopefully with a good training week he could be close.”
How big a boost is this for Newcastle?
The win at Fulham would have raised morale after a run of six Premier League games without a win (albeit amid some mitigating factors), so the prospect of a home game against a side who haven’t won on their travels yet this season should be one Newcastle approach full of confidence.
To potentially have Saint-Maximin back in action only makes that more exciting. After struggling to convince under Howe last season, the Frenchman hit form prior to his hamstring injury, tearing Manchester City apart in a 3-3 draw before hitting a sublime volley to secure a point at Molineux in the dying embers of the game.
While not exactly prolific on the road, Brentford are a difficult team to beat – drawing four of their eight games thus far – and Saint-Maximin’s creativity could prove crucial.
