Big boost: Howe delivers major Newcastle injury lift that'll leave fans buzzing - opinion

Newcastle United have been handed a major injury lift over forward Allan Saint-Maximin’s fitness…

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has revealed that the French attacker is set to be in a better position to make his return against Brighton at St. James’ Park next week.

Newcastle World quote him as saying: “Allan, we hoped he would make it but he was some way short in the end. We now have our fingers crossed and hope he can make the next game.

“I think he will be a lot closer for that game. He is a massive player for us and we are aware we need him back for the next game.”

Toon fans will surely be buzzing with this news as the sooner Saint-Maximin returns from injury the better for the side.

He is an important player from the club and could still have a key role to play in the final months of the campaign to ensure that the Magpies avoid relegation. They are four points above the drop but that could become just two if Everton and Burnley win their games in-hand over Newcastle and Leeds.

This means that they are not completely out of the mud yet and still need to pick up more wins and points to put them in a safe position in the Premier League table. Saint-Maximin’s proven quality in the final third will, therefore, be a big boost to the team heading towards the run-in.

Although Newcastle beat Brentford 2-0 at the weekend, the player taking up the Frenchman’s position in the XI – Jacob Murphy – failed to deliver. As per SofaScore, the ex-Norwich man lost six of his nine duels and gave the ball away 13 times, whilst completing zero dribbles and one key pass.

Saint-Maximin, meanwhile, has averaged 4.6 dribbles and 1.6 key passes per game. The former Nice flyer has also produced five goals and three assists, showing that he has the end