Newcastle handed ‘massive’ Saint-Maximin boost after ‘absolutely huge’ news – pundit
Allan Saint-Maximin is a “massive talent” and Newcastle United must keep him fit if they want to have any chance of avoiding relegation this season.
That is the view of ex-England and Middlesbrough full-back Danny Mills, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after a major update on Saint-Maximin’s fitness.
Craig Hope of the Daily Mail reported yesterday (29 December) the winger’s calf problem is “not serious at all”.
The 24-year-old was forced off in the closing stages of Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Man United on Monday (27 December) after he scored the opening goal of the game.
Eddie Howe’s side were due to play Everton tonight (30 December) but that was postponed for covid reasons and therefore they will be next in action against Southampton on Sunday (2 January).
“Oh, he’s a massive talent, an absolutely huge talent, so keeping him fit is huge,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He’s different, he affects things, he makes things happen and he puts the opposition on the back foot.
“They need as many players as possible. Players will look at it and think ‘There are 17 games to go, we need seven wins from that’.
“Saint-Maximin has this little injury and Callum Wilson is injured.
“Are you going to beat the top three? It’s unlikely. So you’ve got to win half of your games. That’s a lot of games to win.
“That’s the sort or form of West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal. It’s hard to see them going from where they are now to that no matter who they bring in.
“The new players will have to fit in and make it work.”
In other news, an ex-Premier League referee has revealed a star player should face an extended ban as controversial Newcastle United footage is analysed.