Newcastle: 'Rumours' over ASM's mysterious absence amid Howe update

There has been some speculation about why Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin has been missing out recently, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

Saint-Maximin has been one of Newcastle’s standout players this term, but has not been involved in their last two top-flight games.

The 24-year-old featured in all of Newcastle’s first 23 league matches, scoring five goals and providing three assists for Eddie Howe’s men.

However, he picked up a kick to the calf in the side’s win over Aston Villa last month, which forced him to miss the team’s next game against West Ham.

It appeared that Saint-Maximin’s injury was a minor problem, and that he could return for Newcastle’s match against Brentford last week, but he missed out again as the Magpies picked up a 2-0 win to move further clear of the relegation zone.

Howe has now confirmed that the club will make a “late assessment” on whether Saint-Maximin can be part of the squad this weekend.

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Newcastle host Brighton on Saturday, looking to extend their unbeaten league run to eight matches.

Downie thinks it will be intriguing to see whether Saint-Maximin features, as he has hinted that there has been an element of mystery as to why the forward hasn’t returned from injury yet.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Downie said: “It will be interesting to see if he plays, because there’s been a few rumours about why he’s been out and whatever the issue is there. He’s a match-winner, of course he is, but I think Newcastle have proved in the last few weeks, he’s a match-winner that they can actually live without.”

They have so far.

In the two matches that he has missed, the team have picked up four points,