Newcastle United

Newcastle United: Craig Hope drops positive claim on Allan Saint-Maximin’s fitness

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Image for Newcastle United: Craig Hope drops positive claim on Allan Saint-Maximin’s fitness

Journalist Craig Hope believes Allan Saint-Maximin could feature tonight for Newcastle United despite having a slight injury.

Saint-Maximin started the season on fire, managing three goal involvements in four league appearances for Newcastle before he was struck down by injury in late August – and hasn’t started a match in the Premier League since then.

The Frenchman was afforded a start against Rayo Vallecano in a friendly last Saturday in which he seemingly picked up a slight knock, with Eddie Howe alluding to it during his pre-match press conference.

However, Hope has admitted on his YouTube channel that he doesn’t think people need to worry about Saint-Maximin’s fitness and believes he could even play against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

He said: “Allan Saint-Maximin has come out of the game on Saturday against Rayo Vallecano with a slight injury. Now, a few of us have just posted that story and [it got] a reaction, a bit of concern amongst supporters.

“I must say, speaking to Eddie this morning [Monday], I don’t think it is a massive concern – in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s even available for the game against Bournemouth and certainly Leicester beyond that.

Should Saint-Maximin start vs Bournemouth?

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“I may be wrong – we’ve been wrong with these sorts of things before, but there’s no noises coming back saying that Saint-Maximin is seriously injured.”

TIF Thoughts on Saint-Maximin’s fitness…

Given how influential he can be to the side, it will be hugely frustrating for Saint-Maximin, Eddie Howe and the Newcastle fanbase if he has indeed picked up yet another injury, with the season just about to get underway once again.

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Despite only starting five league games this season, Saint-Maximin is statistically the club’s most creative player, having registered 1.43 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes with a total of six, which is only two fewer than Miguel Almiron, who’s played significantly more minutes (FBref).

Therefore, Howe will want to have the Frenchman ready to be called upon as soon as possible, but also be wary of his injury record on Tyneside. Hopefully, he will recognise that he can’t afford to rush Saint-Maximin back too soon and risk being without him for the second half of the season.

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