This article is part of Football FanCast’s Injury News series, which considers the impact of the latest updates on players’ fitness.
Allan Saint-Maximin has been one of Newcastle’s most exciting players this season and his injury creates a big headache for Steve Bruce.
What’s the latest?
The tricky winger left St. James’ Park on crutches following his substitution in the 2-1 victory over Southampton, raising fears that he could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Those fears have been realised somewhat through the news that he faces a month out after suffering a hamstring injury, though the Magpies’ fans and management alike will be relieved that it isn’t worse.
He is likely to miss seven games across a busy festive period, including matches against Manchester United, Leicester and Everton, with the clash against Wolves on the 11th of January perhaps targeted as a possible return date.
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Challenge for Bruce
While Newcastle are on a good run of form, many of the matches won have been closely-fought, narrow victories, and without a flair player like Saint-Maximin to unsettle the defence it is possible that those points would not have been won.
The Frenchman was really coming into form with an assist against Bournemouth and a headed goal against Sheffield United, which proved his quality in the attacking final third.
The Magpies have had to rely on goals from defenders and set-pieces for much of this campaign and although that means they have other sources of goals, Bruce will have to rely on the likes of Christian Atsu and Miguel Almiron to step up and prove their worth in the 22-year-old’s absence.
Bruce now faces his toughest test yet but he could combat it by varying his style a little and perhaps playing two up-front, particularly against Burnley where the aerial threat of Joelinton and Andy Carroll could be the best method to overcome the Clarets’ physical defence.
Those two have averaged 5.4 and 4.2 aerial duels won per game this season, and if Bruce can get Shelvey into more attacking areas on a regular basis then he should find some joy, as the 27-year-old has five goals and achieved an average of 0.8 crosses per game.
If the manager can continue to find a winning formula then it is a testament to the system Bruce has put in place as well as the belief he has installed in his players. In theory, Newcastle should struggle without a player who has managed 4.5 dribbles per game.
Bruce can call upon Atsu who is a like-for-like replacement, and his stats this season suggest that losing Saint-Maximin may not be too much of a worry after all.
