Allan Saint-Maximin's absence in Newcastle United's successive home draws has reminded fans of his 'true value'. That is the view of ChronicleLive columnist Lee Clark, who reckons the forward provides the difference in 'tight games' against stubborn opponents.
Saint-Maximin has made a fine start to the season, and received the Premier League's Goal of the Month award for his stunning equaliser at Wolves. The Magpies' number 10 also produced an inspired display to torment Kyle Walker during the thrilling draw with Manchester City.
Saint-Maximin has missed Newcastle's last three matches with a hamstring injury picked up in the draw at Molineux last month. Eddie Howe's side suffered a heartbreaking stoppage-time defeat at Liverpool, before being held at home by Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
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The head coach admitted Saint-Maximin had suffered a setback in his recovery, insisting it is 'unclear' when the forward will return despite the international break. Former Newcastle midfielder Clark reckons the stalemate with Bournemouth proves the 25-year-old remains a key player in the new frontfoot approach, despite long-standing concerns over his consistency.
When asked if Saint-Maximin's absence in the recent draws has proven his value, Clark told ChronicleLive: "Absolutely. It's one of them situations where he's become more of an important and impressive player for Newcastle when he hasn't been there.
"In those tight games when there's not a lot of room to play in, it just shows what he can do. He's something different to his team-mates.
"It's one of those instances which comes up every now and then, the true value of certain players isn't realised until there's a match which comes up and people say we wish we had him. I think the weekend against Bournemouth, that was probably that example for Saint-Maximin.
"People saying we needed him out there to do something a bit different against that opponent. He can go past three of four players out of nothing, and that's how he opens doors."
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