'I never said anything negative', Allan Saint-Maximin clarifies comments in French football magazine

Allan Saint-Maximin says that his comments to a French football magazine were taken "out of context" but made it clear he is keen to play for an improved Newcastle United team.

In that sense, Saint-Maximin is merely echoing the supporters as they dream of the days of challenging at the top again. Saint-Maximin's comments have been a talking point on social media in the build-up to United's game against Manchester City.

After Eddie Howe had been supportive of the winger in his pre-match Press conference, Saint-Maximin immediately took to Twitter and wrote: "The interview I did with Sofoot has been taken out of context and shortened on Twitter. "I never said anything negative about my teammates, I simply said as any Newcastle fan would that I was looking forward to having an even better team so that we could progress collectively.

"And that as a result I could also progress individually."

Saint-Maximin has previously spoken positively about both Howe and his own future on Tyneside. The winger has twice won Chronicle player of the year since signing from Nice.