Newcastle: 'So important' £28.8m 'game-changer' returns for Howe

Journalist Dean Jones believes it is vital for Newcastle to get Allan Saint-Maximin back on the pitch as quickly as possible.

The winger had started 22 of Newcastle’s first 23 league matches this term, but he missed Saturday’s trip to West Ham due to injury.

Heading into last weekend’s match at the London Stadium, the Magpies already knew that they were going to be without Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier.

Eddie Howe’s side were dealt a fresh blow when Saint-Maximin was ruled out, with the Newcastle boss later confirming that the 24-year-old was absent after taking a kick to his calf in the previous match against Aston Villa.

Newcastle fans will be praying that the issue is not too serious, and Saint-Maximin posted updates of himself in the gym this week on Instagram, suggesting that he is working hard to return to action soon.

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Jones has admitted that Saint-Maximin’s statistics aren’t particularly eye-catching, but he still thinks the £28.8m-rated forward plays a hugely important role in Newcastle’s team.

When asked how badly Newcastle need him back in their squad, Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “It is so important. His actual goal output isn’t super impressive across the season, I think he’s got five and three assists in 25 games, which isn’t pulling up trees, but it’s not really about that at this stage. It’s about having that game-changer.”

Optimism appears to be growing that this could be the case after Saint-Maximin’s social media update.

Following back-to-back wins for Burnley, Newcastle are now just two points above the relegation zone, and still have plenty of work to do to avoid the drop, despite being on a six-match unbeaten run in the