Steve Bruce issues Newcastle United injury update on Allan Saint-Maximin, Martin Dubravka, Joe Willock and Joelinton ahead of Fulham game

Saint-Maximin was forced off with a knock against Sheffield United on Wednesday night, while Dubravka played on with a hamstring problem.

“We’ll not know until we see how they are (in training today), Allan, in particular, and the goalkeeper Martin,” said United’s head coach.

“We expect them to be OK, but we’ll not know 100% until they go on the grass today.”

Joelinton was also forced off at the break, while Joe Willock – who scored the only goal of the game at St James’s Park to take his goal tally to seven – left the field with “fatigue” to a standing ovation.

“The rest, we're hopeful they'll be fine,” said Bruce, who will welcome back Fabian Schar from a three-game suspension at Craven Cottage,

Relegated Fulham were catching Newcastle until an upturn in results following the club’s March 20 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Bruce’s side, looking to better last season’s 44-point tally, have won four of their last eight games, and are 15th in the table with 42 points. The only defeats came against champions Manchester City and Arsenal.

“We must finish off well,” said Bruce, who was booed by “frustrated” fans during the team’s lap of appreciation in midweek.

“We have a chance to be better than last year in terms of our points total, so let's do our utmost to do that. The resolve and belief of the players has been terrific – just when we needed it. They've responded in the right way."

Meanwhile, Bruce believes Fulham manager Scott Parker – who had a spell at United during his playing career – will come back stronger from his first season as a top-flight manager.

“The one thing in management is that you gain experience,” said Bruce. “He’ll learn from it, he’s young, wants to do well. I’ve got the hugest respect (for him). It’s very difficult to stay there (in the Premier League).”

The Fulham game will be attended by around 2,000 home fans.

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