Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce reveals his Allan Saint-Maximin concerns as talk of exit continues

Steve Bruce has revealed Allan Saint-Maximin’s hamstrings remain a constant concern following the Newcastle United winger’s two spells on the sidelines this season.
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Reports the player was unhappy to be left out by Bruce against Burnley broke a week ago, and have since been refuted by the manager.

A goal and assist in two games against West Brom and Southampton, though, have proven the summer signing’s fitness over the last seven days.

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Bruce admits Saint-Maximin’s previous issues remain an on-going worry, as his side look to secure Premier League safety.

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle United shoots and hits the cross-bar during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United at The Hawthorns on March 03, 2020 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle United shoots and hits the cross-bar during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United at The Hawthorns on March 03, 2020 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle United shoots and hits the cross-bar during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United at The Hawthorns on March 03, 2020 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

He said: “He's had two big injuries since he came here. He got injured against Southampton [in December] and damaged his hamstring and I still think in times at training you look at him and he's still a bit ginger with it. Thankfully, over the last week or so, he seems to be free of it.

“He's done it twice so let's hope he's OK because he relies on his explosive pace and his ability like that. When you've had a hamstring twice, it's always worrying.”

Meanwhile, national reports have suggested Everton have turned their attentions to Saint-Maximin, alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace.

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Carlo Ancelotti is thought to be a fan of the tricky winger, and the Sun report he was watched by Toffees’ scouts at West Brom.

Saint-Maximin only signed a six-year deal on Tyneside last summer, having completed a £16.5million move from Nice.

The report states Everton and Ancelotti would be willing to significantly increase Saint-Maximin’s St James’s Park wage, well beyond the rumoured £40,000-per-week he gets at Newcastle.