Eddie Howe (R) says it remains a ‘disaster’ when Allan Saint-Maximin is missing for Newcastle

‘For me, if he is unavailable at any time, it is a disaster’: Eddie Howe bemoans Allan Saint-Maximin’s injury woes – as Newcastle manager insists he remains ‘a massive player’ for the club and won’t be an impact substitute when fit

  • Allan Saint-Maximin has not started a game for Newcastle since back in August
  • Despite being fit since October, he has only had cameos from the bench 
  • The Magpies have won their last five in the Premier League without him starting

Eddie Howe says it is still a ‘disaster’ when Allan Saint-Maximin is absent for Newcastle and insists he is not now limited to the role of impact substitute.

The Magpies have won their last five in the Premier League without the winger in the side and he has not started since injuring his hamstring at Wolves in August.

It used to be the case under Steve Bruce that Newcastle could not do without the Frenchman, but despite being fit since October, he has only had cameos from the bench.

Eddie Howe (R) says it remains a ‘disaster’ when Allan Saint-Maximin is missing for Newcastle

Eddie Howe (R) says it remains a ‘disaster’ when Allan Saint-Maximin is missing for Newcastle

Howe, though, says Saint-Maximin remains integral to his plans. When it was put to him that, not so long ago, it was a disaster when the 25-year-old was absent, the head coach said: ‘For me, if he is unavailable at any time, it is a disaster, because he’s unique and he’s got those skills that any defender doesn’t want to play against.

‘Maxi is a massive player for us. You saw as soon as he entered the pitch against Bournemouth (in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win), he’s got that ability to put his opponent on the back foot. For me, he’s the best dribbler in the Premier League and you need that in your team.

‘Now, we’re just building him fitness-wise back to his best levels. Being the player he is, he needs to be able to sprint repeatedly at high levels.

‘He’s going in the right direction and he’s a key player for us. He’s a real character and we love him for that. He’s got a really nice personality, he’s really good to work with.’

Howe added: ‘Now, the team has performed really well in his absence, which has been a great thing. Ideally, you don’t want to become reliant on any one player – if you are, then you’re putting yourself in a very difficult position. Our aim is to try to build the squad strong enough and robust enough that we can cope with any absence.’

Howe says Saint-Maximin remains integral to his plans for Newcastle going forward 

Howe rejects the notion of the 25-year-old performing better from the bench, but he does accept that the role of impact substitute will become more prevalent given the advent of five changes.

‘Players don’t view that role necessarily as something they want to do on a regular basis,’ said Howe, whose third-placed team travel to Leicester today. ‘That is the players’ mindset.

‘Every player wants to start and play 90 minutes. But you’re looking for players who can impact when you make changes. It has very much become a squad game.

‘I believe specialists in certain actions, whether that’s coming off the bench or starting a game for an hour, are going to become more relevant.’ Could that be Saint-Maximin? ‘I certainly wouldn’t be having that conversation with Allan,’ said Howe. ‘He’s absolutely not in that role – he’s a key player from the off, when he’s 100 per cent fit.

‘But yes, with other players, if you do get someone in that position, you’d have to be open and honest and discuss their role. If you have the right personality, that can work.’

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