Your Newcastle United evening headlines for Friday, March 4.
Another fitness test for Maxi
In a similar fashion to the Brentford build-up last week, Eddie Howe revealed Allan Saint-Maximin will undergo a late fitness test ahead of the Brighton clash.
The winger has been out with a calf strain suffered in the 1-0 victory against Aston Villa and had been rehabilitating in Monaco.
Doubts persist as to whether the Toon’s star player should walk back into the side given the solid displays of Ryan Fraser, Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy in recent weeks.
Regardless, Howe refused to give too much away ahead of another crucial fixture.
"Maxi still hasn't trained with the group yet and we will make a late assessment,” he said.
"We'll have to make a decision based on how he looks and how his injury status is after that training session.
“Aside from that, I think we're as we were with team fitness pre-Brentford."
Longstaff offer ‘on the table’
Howe wants Sean Longstaff to pen a new deal and commit his future to Newcastle.
The North Shields native - whose contract expires in June - has struggled for game time recently and will fall further down the pecking order once Bruno Guimaraes gets his feet warm at St James’ Park.
Former Toon boss Rafa Benitez was sniffing around for the 24-year-old in January but talk of a move to Merseyside has gone quiet since his sacking.
The current man in the dugout declared that he wants the Geordie to stay ahead of tomorrow’s game against Brighton.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Howe said: "Every part of me wants him to stay.
“I love Sean, but I maybe haven’t displayed that with my team selections.
“That's only because it is a really strong area of the team, Bruno is not playing either.”
To read more, click here.
Injury blow for Brighton
Brighton boss Graham Potter confirmed that defender Adam Webster will miss their trip to St James’ Park on Saturday.
The Seagulls centre-back has emerged as the first-choice defender at the Amex this season and his absence weakens a backline that is already suffering after losing Dan Burn to Newcastle.
A setback to a groin problem means Webster could be ruled out until the international break at the end of this month.
Potter is also expected to make a late call on midfielder Adam Lallana ahead of the game.
For a full briefing on Brighton’s injury list, click here.
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