Allan Saint-Maximin took to Instagram this week to reveal he is 'BACK'. After a spell on the sidelines courtesy of a hamstring injury, the Frenchman is now pushing to be involved between now and the end of this historic Newcastle United campaign.
Asked whether Maxi would return before the end of the season, Eddie Howe last week admitted: “I certainly hope he’ll be fit, but with hamstring injuries there’s always that element of doubt."
Saint-Maximin was Newcastle's main man in years gone by. So often the player they could turn to when times were hard, the winger is walking back into a crowded marketplace with no certainty over reclaiming a starting role that was once a certainty.
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Arsenal are up next this weekend and the games are running out for Saint-Maximin to fight his way back into this in-form side. Anthony Gordon started in Saint-Maximin's position against Southampton, marking his first St James' Park appearance from the outset.
The £40m man is still trying to find his feet on Tyneside and was taken off at half-time despite creating Newcastle's best openings. Howe was full of praise for Gordon at full-time, admitting he has seen glimpses of incredible potential in the January arrival.
For all Newcastle fans want the 22-year-old to succeed on Tyneside, the Magpies looked a different animal altogether when Callum Wilson replaced him at the interval.
Alexander Isak was subsequently shifted out wide, again proving to be just as comfortable on the left as he is through the middle. Wilson's incredible run of form has only increased the outside clamour for both strikers to be used together from the outset.
"Obviously I'm more of a natural nine and he's more of a wide player and it's a good partnership. Hopefully we get more time on the pitch together," Wilson said after the 4-1 win at Everton.
Isak, who has understandably earned comparisons to one of the greatest Premier League forwards in history in Thierry Henry, has shown he can have a positive impact out wide, assisting twice in recent games after mazy runs down the left flank.
To add, Saint-Maximin may have yet another competitor to battle for a starting role should Sean Longstaff make a swift recovery from his ankle knock.
The academy graduate will likely walk straight back into this team upon his return from the treatment table, squeezing one of Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock or Joelinton out of the midfield three. Luckily for Eddie Howe, the latter of that trio has suddenly found his feet in attack.
Joelinton scored a confident brace at West Ham, helped Newcastle burst out the traps against Tottenham and headed home from close range in the win at Everton. The Brazilian offers more support to Dan Burn when deployed in a left-wing role and has developed a positive partnership with Willock in that position.
Howe has a wealth of options at his disposal in that position and the headache will only worsen when Saint-Maximin steps back into the fold. The 26-year-old is desperate for a return, as displayed by his consistent social media posts on the training pitch.
Saint-Maximin has a fight on his hands once again. Showcasing a similar vein of form to that on display before his recent setback and it won't be long until the St James' Park favourite is back in Howe's plans.
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