Steve Bruce has revealed that Allan Saint-Maximin is one of FIVE Newcastle players ‘in contention’ to return ahead of our trip to Wolves on Saturday.
The NUFC boss also claims Matt Ritchie and centre-back trio Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett and Ciaran Clark are also in with a shout of returning – giving us a welcome boost after a torrid month on the fitness front.
Saint-Maximin has been missing since suffering a hamstring tear in December’s 2-1 win over Southampton, but the Chronicle reveal that Bruce is hoping the French winger can come through a week of training and return at Molineux.
Here’s what Bruce has had to say about all five:
“Saint-Maximin, Clark, Dummett, Ritchie and Lascelles all could be in contention at Wolves.
“What a good five that would be to welcome back!”
It may be that Saint-Maximin is not risked, with Bruce unlikely to bring him back into the side unless he’s 100% ready, however these comments suggests he’s well ahead of schedule, with it being reported a few weeks ago that he was expected to return at the end of the month.
Bruce then commented on Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle, revealing why both missed out at Rochdale:
“Both injured – both not right – one with a groin issue and the other with a bit of a hamstring problem.
“It’s difficult.”
An unconvincing update, and one that raises a few questions about Carroll’s fitness given it was initially reported that a ‘hip/rib’ injury had kept him out of our FA Cup clash.
As for Almiron and Muto – two players who limped off at Rochdale – we’ll have to hope the former was just precautionary and that Carroll is also back before long.
The return of ASM, Ritchie and a few of our most reliable centre-backs could give us a timely boost, but losing Almiron and/or Carroll for any length would be a real blow.
