Newcastle boss Steve Bruce discusses Allan Saint-Maximin injury blow

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Steve Bruce has lifted the lid to The Chronicle on how Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin picked up his hamstring injury.

The Frenchman was struck down with the problem in the closing stages of last weekend’s victory over Southampton.

It represents a real blow to the Magpies, with Saint-Maximin starting to dazzle. He arrived in the summer from Nice and cost Newcastle £16.5 million (BBC Sport).

His performances have caught the eye and he is already proving a popular figure with the club’s supporters.

His injury hasn’t come at a good time with the busy Christmas period on the horizon and Bruce has discussed how he picked it up.

He told The Chronicle: “He pulled his hamstring doing 38.6km per hour in the 96th minute!

“I don’t think anybody has run that fast in the Premier League before. What can you do in the 96th minute?

“A footballer can play or train every day but can’t play with that intensity. There was no sign of Allan being fatigued. We’ll kick ourselves but these things happen.”

Newcastle face Burnley at Turf Moor tomorrow looking to continue their good form.

Jonjo Shelvey could also miss the trip to Lancashire, with Bruce facing a mini injury crisis.

Saint-Maximin’s absence will be the one most sorely felt, however. The former France under-21 performer only has one goal and one assist to his name but his energetic displays haven’t gone unnoticed.

Opportunity

The 22-year-old is proving a quality piece of summer business by the Magpies and Bruce must now cope without him for the rest of the year.

Newcastle fans were up in arms when Bruce was appointed as the successor to Rafa Benitez but he is slowly winning supporters round.

The Magpies sit tenth in the Premier League and given the squad at his disposal that is about par for the course.

With Saint-Maximin out if will give someone else the chance to have an impact.

Bruce will be desperate to keep the momentum going and it will be interesting to see who he trusts to replace the ex-Nice man.