Steve Bruce reveals why Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin returned to France

Saint-Maximin and Lascelles are still struggling with the after-effects of Covid-19 – and Bruce is being guided by Newcastle United’s medical staff.

“There's been a long thing going on,” said Bruce, “I've tried to put the record straight and say they're not ready to return until the doctors tell us.

"They still have symptoms. How long? I really can't put a time frame on it, probably Jamaal before Allan. We hope to see improvement in the both of them, and they can join the squad in the next week or two."

Saint-Maximin was allowed to return to France to recuperate after his initial period of self-isolation on Tyneside.

Asked if a spell there would be good for the winger, Bruce said: "Of course. He's only a young fella, and wherever he wanted to decide to self-isolate (was OK). He had 10 days back in Newcastle, and proved negative.”

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