Journalist Andrew Musgrove has claimed that Allan Saint-Maximin, Alexander Isak and Ryan Fraser should return to full fitness during Newcastle United’s winter break.
Despite making a very strong start to the season and finding themselves inside the top three heading into Christmas, Newcastle have not always had luck on their side, with injuries to key players such as Callum Wilson, Saint-Maximin and record signing Isak hampering their squad.
Therefore, the break in play will have, in some ways, come at the right time for members of the squad who have struggled for fitness – and a trip to Saudi Arabia should see familiar faces return.
This is according to Musgrove, who claimed on the It’s all Black N White TV YouTube channel that Fraser, Saint-Maximin and Isak should return to full fitness during the Premier League’s hiatus.
Will Newcastle finish inside the top four?
Yes!
No!
He said: “This break, you’ll probably see Ryan Fraser back fit; Saint-Maximin; hopefully Isak, if he is indeed in the picture for that left-wing role. So Eddie Howe has got quality players there to pick from and it’s going to be so interesting to see what he does.”
TIF Thoughts on Newcastle’s injury boost…
The Magpies have managed to get by in the first half of the season, largely down to the scintillating form of Miguel Almiron, but we think many will feel that they are still just one or two injuries away from being down to the bare bones.
Therefore, being able to have the likes of Saint-Maximin and Isak – who have six goal involvements between them this season – to call upon could be the difference between them finishing inside the top four or having to settle for the Europa Conference League.
Howe will be hoping that some time spent out in Saudi Arabia, where the weather will be a whole lot better than in Newcastle, will do his injured stars the world of good and enable them to come back ready to help the side through a congested fixture schedule for the rest of the season.