Newcastle United ace Allan Saint-Maximin has opened up about his circumstances at St James' Park after being linked with AC Milan.
The Toon star made his return to action in the 1-1 draw against West Ham but could not mark his first start since August with a goal or an assist. Milan made enquiries about Saint-Maximin's availability in January but were told he wasn't leaving on loan or in a knockdown sale.
Saint-Maximin's goals kept Newcastle in the Premier League since he arrived in 2019 but now he will get the chance to play his part in something much bigger - a European push and the chance of winning a cup. Lifting a trophy is something Saint-Maximin has dreamed of since arriving on Tyneside but last month he was linked with a football heavyweight from Serie A.
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When Milan's interest was put to him, Saint-Maximin said: "I will be honest, I'm not going to lie, when you are in that situation a lot of teams can see it (like Milan). A lot of teams see it as an opportunity to come and buy the player.
"But I am very proud to be here and the most important thing for me is to play. And I will always try to be in a position where I play every game.
"I don't play football to be on the bench. But you know sometimes you have to understand the situation.
"As I said, when I was in the team they didn't lose games and I did my job. When I was available the team were doing well and not losing games.
"You need to understand that. For sure, if we lose two games and I stay on the bench I will never accept that situation.
"When the team does well though and when you love the players you can't be a nice guy when you play, then not very nice when you don't.
"I am not like that. I believe a lot in God and that's why when I didn't play I prayed for the team because finally we were together.
"And if we get to the Champions League - we are going there together. So that's the most important thing."
Saint-Maximin stated last month that he is no longer an automatic choice in the Newcastle team but the same could be said for £63million man Alexander Isak in recent weeks. Since then Howe made it clear he had no intention of selling Saint-Maximin and he had a big part to play.
Saint-Maximin said: "It's simple, we have very good players. Alexander Isak wasn't even there on Saturday nor Bruno, but we still had a good team, with them of course the game could have been different.
"The same happens for me. The season started well for me against City and Wolverhampton, I made a difference then got an injury.
"After that, the team had to do it without me and they done that very well. When the team wins every single game you then just have to wait for your chance and try to do everything to win.
"It was a good comeback for me vs West Ham because I think I created some chances and I tried to help the defence and helped Dan Burn a lot. We did not concede any goals in terms of set-pieces and that is the most important, to do what the coach wants and give what he wants from me.
"I know I did well with that."
Saint-Maximin's season so far has been one of frustration with injuries and then non-selection restricting him to a handful of starts.
The French star reflected: "I didn't lose any games when I played. The coach knows that and that's why I have a very good relationship with him because he knows what I am capable to do.
"Most of the time when I am on the pitch I try to do everything not to lose the game. So after that, when I came back from injuries the team were winning and had credit to keep going.
"If I was a starting player and we win every game I wouldn't want to be left out just because an important player was coming back. I would maybe feel the manager let me down so it makes sense.
"Look at Isak, he is trying to push with assists and goals and this can push a player into the starting XI.
"We didn't lose against West Ham and that is the most important thing to me. I will now do my best to help the team next game and get the win against Bournemouth."
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