Eddie Howe hints at Newcastle United decision on Allan Saint-Maximin

Saint-Maximin made his first Premier League start in more than five months against West Ham United last weekend. However, the winger – who suffered an early-season hamstring injury – struggled to make an impression in the final third of the pitch.

Howe has Anthony Gordon, signed from Everton for £45million last month, pushing for his first start ahead of Saturdays game at the Vitality Stadium after coming off the bench

United’s head coach was asked how far Saint-Maximin is off the level he showed against Premier League champions Manchester City at St James’s Park last August – and he hinted at another start in the absence of the Bruno Guimaraes, who is serving the second game of a three-match ban for his dismissal in the Carabao Cup against Southampton last month.

"I think Maxi’s someone who performs with a consistent run of games, but I would say that would be the case for all players,” said Howe. “So I think he has a window and an opportunity to impress.

"I thought there were some aspects of his game that were in a really good place last week.

"I thought, most importantly, he tried to give his all for the team. I don’t think there was any lack of effort from him. I thought West Ham managed him well in the game.

"Teams will always look at him as a big threat, and probably produce game plans on keeping him quiet. It’s up to us and him to try and find a solution those game plans.

"I’ve been really pleased with his attitude and how he’s worked this week. Maxi’s in a better place.”

Saint-Maximin set up three goals when Newcastle last played at the Vitality Stadium. The club won 4-1 against Bournemouth, then managed by Howe, in the 2019/20 season.

Reflecting on that game, Howe said: “He's capable of some brilliant things, and that day, he was very, very good. There was no crowd, it was a really strange atmosphere, but Newcastle were very good. They scored some good goals, made it difficult for us.”