Eddie Howe insists Allan Saint-Maximin has 'long-term future' at Newcastle United

Newcastle Unite manager has said that Allan Saint-Maximin has a "long-term future" at the Premier League club.

The French attacker is a huge fan favourite at St James' Park but has struggled for form and consistency this year and is without a goal since January.

There have been reports that Saint-Maximin, who moved to Tyneside from Nice for £16.5 million in 2019, could be sold this summer as the club's new era under their Saudi-backed owners kicks into gear.

But Howe, whose team take on Wolves in the Premier League on Friday, said they are not looking to sell the 25-year-old: "I've got a great relationship with Maxi," he said.

"I've really enjoyed working with him and we need him at his very best levels as he could potentially be the difference. He's an incredible talent and of course he has a long-term future at the club."

Having dragged themselves away from the bottom three with an unbeaten eight-game unbeaten run at the start of the year, Newcastle have since lost three games in a row - the last of which a 5-1 thrashing at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The Mapgies currently sit 15th in the table, seven points from safety, but face the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal in a tricky run-in.

Asked if the players had seen a different manager this week after the Spurs drubbing, Howe – whose side faces Wolves, Leicester and Crystal Palace in back-to-back home games after four on the trot on the road – said: “Certainly this week, without going into too much detail, I’ve maybe changed the way I’ve dealt with the players or certain situations because I didn’t like what I saw in the second half and I think no-one connected with the club liked what they saw in the second half.

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