Newcastle boss Eddie Howe hopes Allan Saint-Maximin is not going to be becoming a member of Miguel Almiron on the sidelines.
Almiron has been dominated out for six weeks with a thigh harm and fears have been heightened when Saint-Maximin was taken off at half-time through the Magpies’ 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest on the City Ground.
Howe says he took the ahead off to guard him and that he hopes he might be match, together with Callum Wilson, after the worldwide break.
“Allan wasn’t quite right today, physically, I didn’t think,” he mentioned. “He’s been carrying a tight hamstring. I don’t think it’s a pull, it’s just a little bit of tightness.
“For me, it was obvious during that first half that he probably wouldn’t be able to carry on.
“I didn’t want to expose Callum today, he hasn’t done a lot of training, so I decided to go with Elliot (Anderson) and he repaid me, he did really well.
“Hopefully, we’ll have Callum and Maxi fit and available after the international break.”
Alexander Isak starred for Newcastle, with each objectives on the City Ground.
Emmanuel Dennis had put Forest forward however Isak levelled on the stroke of half-time with an completed volley after which he gained it deep into harm time when he scored from the spot to make it three objectives in two video games.
“Confidence is key for any attacking player and the penalty was ice cool,” he mentioned. “It was a huge moment for us in our season.
“It’s not easy to do that, especially with the delay. But he put it away really well, first goal as well. It was a slightly unorthodox finish.”
Newcastle gained the penalty after the ball struck Moussa Niakhate’s outstretched arm, which marred the defender’s first begin since August.
The centre-half was visibly distraught after the incident and boss Steve Cooper says his squad, whose relegation fears have been worsened after defeat, will stick collectively.
“He’ll be disappointed. There is no individual blame, I believe in that,” the pinnacle coach mentioned.
“Whatever the results and performance we have to do it as one with togetherness. In the end that is what makes you stronger longer term. All players will make mistakes, but the most important thing is we stick together.
“We are all disappointed and let’s not make it about one individual.”
