Pundit shares Allan Saint-Maximin claim after Newcastle United latest – ‘there’s absolutely no way’
Noel Whelan has claimed there is “absolutely no way” Allan Saint-Maximin will be restored to the Newcastle United side while they are “flying”.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Magpies are “at the top of their game” at present.
Saint-Maximin, 25, returned to the bench against Aston Villa on Saturday (29 October) after recovering from a hamstring injury.
The winger came on for a four-minute cameo as Eddie Howe’s side recorded an emphatic 4-0 victory over the Midlands giants.
He started the first four games of the 2022-23 campaign, registering one goal and two assists – but Miguel Almiron, Joelinton, and Alexander Isak have since made a convincing case for a starting berth.
Newcastle sit fourth in the Premier League after 13 games ahead of matches against Southampton and Chelsea before the World Cup.
Whelan claimed the St James’ Park club could spend big in January to secure Champions League football.
When asked if Saint-Maximin could return to the side, he told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’ll have to wait for his chance.
“Newcastle are flying at the minute, absolutely flying – so there’s absolutely no way anyone is breaking into that team at the minute.
“They’re fantastic on the eye, they’re at the top of their game and scoring goals for fun.
“Right now Newcastle are ahead of where they expect to be. That’s why I think they’ll go and spend money in January to try and get that European football.”
In other news, pundit backs Newcastle United to sign three “proper stars” in January after source’s PiF reveal.