Promising update on Allan Saint-Maximin fitness after attacker misses Newcastle draw

A journalist has delivered a promising update on the fitness of Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin after the forward missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham.

Saint-Maximin, 24, picked up a calf problem in Newcastle’s previous Premier League match, which ended in a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. This injury kept him out of the squad for the trip to the London stadium.

Newcastle went behind in the 32nd minute as Craig Dawson connected with an Aaron Cresswell free-kick, sending it past Magpies goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

But Eddie Howe’s side gained a valuable point thanks to Joe Willock’s equaliser in first-half stoppage time. The midfielder finished with the outside of the boot after Declan Rice failed to deal with a Ryan Fraser cross.

Saint-Maximin has been one of Newcastle’s best performers during a tough season – which is now starting to look up. He has managed five goals and three assists in 23 league outings so far.

And according to The Daily Telegraph reporter Luke Edwards, Newcastle will benefit from the Frenchman’s return on Saturday.

Allan Saint-Maximin return scheduled

The journalist tweeted: ‘Was told last week Allan Saint-Maximin should be back for the Brentford game next weekend but needed to rest a calf problem. Hopefully that’s still the case.’

As a result, Saint-Maximin will be looking to add to his tally when Newcastle travel to the Brentford Community Stadium in their next outing.

The Magpies’ draw with West Ham took them to 22 points, while they are now unbeaten in five matches. They have a four-point gap on 18th-placed Watford.

Zaidu Sanusi from Porto a target for Newcastle United this summer

Newcastle United are looking at Zaidu Sanusi from Porto this summer

Reacting to the point away from home, Howe said: “I’m satisfied with the point but frustrated it maybe wasn’t more. The way we started the game was excellent. The only disappointment for me was that we only got one goal. There was more in it for us.

“Although we dominated they still had a threat in the game. That’s what West Ham can do to you. We’re disappointed that the free-kick was poorly defended from our perspective.

“That’s a frustration. But the character and response was there. With the balls we put into the box, it should have been more.”

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Journalist talks up Newcastle exit

Meanwhile, Newcastle may require a mass spend in defence after Fabian Schar was advised to join a Champions League contender.

Centre-back Schar is out of contract in the summer, and talk of a free agent exit has begun to swirl.

Now, speaking to Area Napoli (via Sport Witness), Italian journalist Paolo Esposito has talked up a Napoli move.

“Schar is an experienced 30-year-old defender, with many appearances in the national team (Switzerland), owned by Newcastle,” said Esposito.

“Without spending anything on his name tag, with a low salary to pay him, I would take him.

“He is a versatile defender who can play on the right and in the centre of defence. Excellent in the aerial game and not slow, despite his height of around 6ft 4in tall.

“He has personality, a good long throw. Yes, under the above conditions, I would take him to Napoli.”

READ MORE: Newcastle first summer signing on the cards after impressive performances convince Eddie Howe