Journalist Craig Hope has shared news of an injury blow for Newcastle regarding Allan Saint-Maximin.
The 25-year-old has missed the Magpies’ last two league games after picking up a hamstring injury in the latter stages of the 1-1 draw against Wolves last month. The dazzling Frenchman scored a dramatic equaliser that day as the Toon came away with a point, having lit up St James’ Park a week previously.
Saint-Maximin grabbed two assists and won a free-kick which was thundered in by Kieran Trippier as Howe’s side held champions Manchester City to a thrilling 3-3 draw.
However, those hoping that the 25-year-old would return to action this weekend will seemingly have to wait a little longer.
Taking to Twitter ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth, Hope stated: ‘Newcastle still nursing a few fitness concerns heading into weekend. I don’t expect to see Saint-Maximin from what I’m hearing.’
Should get by without him
Newcastle are without a league win since the opening weekend, so Howe would certainly like to have had one of his star players (Saint-Maximin is their top performer according to WhoScored metrics) back fit and available, but it seems that he will have to wait until after the international break.
Nonetheless, given how impressively they performed against Manchester City, the Magpies should still be confident of ending their winless run against a Bournemouth side who shipped nine goals in one game against Liverpool recently.
That said, the two teams are level on points in the Premier League table, with the Cherries just two places behind Howe’s current club due to goal difference.
Saint-Maximin has been involved in more goals (three) than any of his teammates so far this term, although Hope did at least state that things ‘sound more positive’ regarding a possible return from injury for Bruno Guimaraes, so perhaps the Tynesiders will have enough to get over the line and sign off their September schedule on a winning note.
