Allan Saint-Maximin admits that Newcastle United are no longer just relying on him to succeed in the Premier League.
The Frenchman, who is still one of the club's prize assets, won player of the season in 2020 and 2021 after almost single-handedly dragging the team clear of relegation trouble and to two domestic cup quarter-finals under Steve Bruce. Yet now, he accepts that Newcastle have star quality throughout the team including England star Kieran Trippier and Brazil ace Bruno Guimaraes.
Eddie Howe has helped swap relegation tussles with a European tilt, and Saint-Maximin is enjoying a different challenge to his first two years at the club. Speaking after playing only a cameo role against AFC Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup he says the old guard are also eager to play their part.
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Saint-Maximin said: "It's very different here now. "The fans and the club deserve it because we have worked hard. The coach has done an incredible job here and the players like Miggy and Joelinton and many players have seen relegation fights, so when you see that and then see the players that have come in to help us like Bruno and Trippier and others it is very exciting to see how we can play and what we are capable to do.
"When you look at how our play flows and we approach games now it is very good. I am sure if we continue to play like that a lot of good things will happen for us."
Saint-Maximin has shaken off a hamstring injury and goes into Boxing Day's encounter at Leicester with no assurances on a starting place. Howe went strong against Bournemouth and fielded Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson as his starters in attack.
The former Nice star added: "I just keep working hard to be honest. I have nothing to say because the team win. When the team win you just try to do everything when you come on, finally I am not important the team are more important than me. People like Joelinton really deserve to play because he helps in that position, I just have to work hard."
Saint-Maximin has started just four matches this season in the Premier League for United and was in the sparkling form before injury struck him down in August. Talking about his frustrating campaign and the battle ahead, he spoke about the focus he will require.
Saint-Maximin: "I had a good game against Manchester City, then a good game against Wolverhampton where we were losing 1-0 and I scored to get the draw.
"When you get an injury after that it was a very bad time for me. After that I had to do everything to come back and I had the World Cup (on my mind) so I had to be careful not to come back too early and get an injury again and miss the World Cup possibly.
"At the same time it is difficult because you can't just think about your injury, you have to be able to show your manager something so he can call on you. Finally I came back just two weeks before the World Cup so it was not good enough to be able to go with the French team.
"When you see how well France done and nearly won the World Cup you know we are close. But now I am very focused on Newcastle and trying to do everything for my club and this started against Bournemouth. I was very happy to help the team win that game and I am really excited to be able to help my team against Leicester."
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