Allan Saint-Maximin told it's 'down to him' if he…

Allan Saint-Maximin told it's 'down to him' if he wants to remain part of Newcastle 'juggernaut'

Allan Saint-Maximin has the 'x-factor' but needs to deliver consistently if he is going to remain a key player for the Newcastle United 'juggernaut'. That is the view of former Magpies full-back Warren Barton, who believes Eddie Howe could have a 'hell of player' on his hands if the attacker rises to the challenge.

Saint-Maximin quickly emerged as a fans favourite following his arrival at St James' Park in the summer of 2019, and played a starring role under Steve Bruce. The former Nice forward started the latest season in fine form, and delivered a man-of-the-match display in the thrilling home draw with Manchester City in August.

A stunning stoppage-time equaliser at Wolves followed, but a hamstring injury suffered at Molineux has since derailed Saint-Maximin's campaign. The 25-year-old spent the best part of two months on the sidelines, and then had to wait patiently for a start due to the outstanding form of his team-mates in his absence.

Bruno Guimaraes' suspension ahead of the Carabao Cup final along with Joe Willock's injury has led to Saint-Maximin starting the last three fixtures. Despite a quiet display in the home draw with West Ham, Eddie Howe insisted he was committed to giving his number 10 an extended run in the side, and the attacker was the standout performer in the latest defeat to Liverpool.

The January arrival of Anthony Gordon has again raised questions over Saint-Maximin's future and whether he could struggle for minutes for the remainder of the campaign. Barton feels the challenge of Newcastle's revival and increased competition should inspire the attacker to prove he is a 'top player' in black-and-white.

The Fox Sports pundit told ChronicleLive: "It's all down to him. Eddie has managed this fantastically, the team was doing well while he was injured, there's been a little bit of inconsistency but he was getting all of the plaudits at the beginning.

"This juggernaut is going, and you either want to be part of it or you don't. It's down to him, and that's what Eddie is delighted with. We've got players who are playing well, and we've brought in another young player in Gordon.

"Talk is cheap, get out there and play and if he does do that, his game will elevate and he might become an international player. It's all in his hands now, and if he doesn't, things will move on and Newcastle will go forward.

"He's a talented player, he's got an x-factor about him. Can he produce on a regular basis now? That's down to him, which as a player is all you ever want.

"He's got to embrace it and show everybody he's the player we all hope he's going to be, and we all love seeing him. But not every one in five games.

"That's a good position to be in as a manager, you have a top player who needs to prove himself. If he sits there and sulks, which I don't see him doing, then it's goodbye. But if you're going to kick on again, we've got one hell of a player."

Allan Saint-Maximin told it's 'down to him' if he wants to remain part of Newcastle 'juggernaut'

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