Journalist Lee Ryder has claimed that Allan Saint-Maximin is set to start for Newcastle United in a friendly on Thursday.
The Magpies are currently out in Saudi Arabia on a warm-weather training camp that will see them go through several training sessions to get back up to speed as well as taking part in a friendly on Thursday against Al-Hilal.
Eddie Howe won’t be able to field his strongest side during the friendly, with key players Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Nick Pope all away on World Cup duty.
Therefore, Ryder believes it will now allow fan-favourite Saint-Maximin to get a start under his belt after an injury-plagued first half of the season.
He said: “Looking around, there are a lot of young players here, but I think the supporters in the Middle East will be looking for a strong team, and I think Allan Saint-Maximin looks likely to start. He’s looking in good shape down there at the moment, and certainly a player who the fans will want to see.”
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TIF Thoughts on Saint-Maximin…
It will be huge for Saint-Maximin to get more minutes under his belt as he’s only been able to clock up 468 at an average of under an hour per game thus far, while his last league start came back in August when he scored a late equaliser against Wolves.
The winger did indeed start Newcastle’s last Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace, but he failed to impress as he earned a 6/10 rating, so this is his time to shine out in Saudi Arabia.
If Howe can get Saint-Maximin back to the form he was showing earlier in the season when he registered four goal involvements, the Magpies could well be a big force in the race to finish inside the top four.