Saint-Maximin out for up to three weeks – should he have started?

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has confirmed winger Allan Saint-Maximin is set to be out for up to three weeks with a hamstring injury. 

Speaking to Chronicle journalist Ciaran Kelly, Burce has also revealed that he will have scans before an exact return date is issued. 

Twitter: Allan Saint-Maximin may be out for up to three weeks if today’s scan results go well. Had to wait 48 hours to let b… https://t.co/tEQ6G3ulHO (@CiaranKelly__) 

Saint-Maximin started against Spurs on Sunday, but was forced to leave the pitch in the first-half after suffering an injury whilst chasing down a through ball. 

READ NEWCASTLE VERDICT 

Should Bruce have started him against Tottenham?

Saint-Maximin missed the 3-1 defeat to Norwich with a hamstring injury, so for him to come straight back in and start against Spurs a week later did seem an odd call by Bruce.  

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss could have played it safe and started Christian Atsu, rather than risk further damaging Saint-Maximin – which is, unfortunately, what happened. 

Atsu came on for Saint-Maximin and played a superb ball into Joelinton for the winner in the first-half, showing that he has what it takes to start in the Premier League for Newcastle.