Newcastle: £84k-a-week duo could now return vs Fulham | OneFootball

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·26 September 2022

Newcastle: £84k-a-week duo could now return vs Fulham

Article image:Newcastle: £84k-a-week duo could now return vs Fulham

Newcastle United could welcome Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson back from injury when they travel to Fulham after the international break, and it would be surprising if ‘at least one’ of the stars doesn’t start, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

Eddie Howe has been made to make do without two of his brightest attackers in recent weeks but he should soon have them back at his disposal.


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What is the latest on the duo?

Wilson has appeared in just three of the club’s seven Premier League fixtures so far this season, scoring two goals before picking up a hamstring problem against Manchester City.

Saint-Maximin has played one game more, bagging a goal and two assists, but succumbed to a hamstring injury of his own ahead of their trip to Liverpool at the end of August.

Prior to their most recent matchup with Bournemouth, Howe revealed that both players ‘had improved’ in their recovery.

He added the £84,000 per-week duo were ‘big players’ and needed back in the team for the remainder of the campaign.

What has Downie said on the situation?

Downie will be ‘surprised’ if one of Saint-Maximin or Wilson are not in the starting XI for the club’s clash with Fulham.

The Sky Sports reporter adds that those who have filled in have failed to produce the required level and Howe will want his star men back as soon as possible.

Downie told GIVEMESPORT: “I think when you’re missing two of your main guys in the shape of Saint-Maximin and Wilson, you need these other lads to step up and be able to perform.

“We saw [Ryan] Fraser look good when he came on for Scotland against the Republic of Ireland, [Miguel] Almiron always does well when he goes away on international duty.

“I’ve just felt that, the last couple of games, the shirts weighed a little bit heavy on them and that will be the reason why they’ll want to get Saint-Maximin and Wilson back as soon as they can. I would be surprised if at least one of them doesn’t play, and start, in that next match by all accounts.”

Who else has been injured for Newcastle?

Alongside Saint-Maximin and Wilson’s issues, Howe has had to contend with a mini-crisis in midfield.

Jonjo Shelvey picked up an injury against Benfica in a pre-season friendly, with the subsequent surgery and recovery period set to keep him sidelined until November.

Meanwhile, January recruit Bruno Guimaraes made his return from another hamstring blow against the Cherries only to pick up another issue while away with the Brazil national team.

Emil Krafth is another long-term absentee. The right-back has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and could be out until the end of the season.

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