Report: Allan Saint-Maximin will be fit to face Leicester

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Allan Saint-Maximin missed Saturday night’s FA Cup exit, but will reportedly be fit to face Leicester City in the Carabao Cup quarter final.

That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim that the winger will tell Eddie Howe that he is available for Tuesday night’s game at St James’ Park.

Saint-Maximin was a big miss at the weekend. He looked like a certain starter, and was conspicuous by his absence when the players exited the team coach.

When Howe’s team was announced at 5pm, the Frenchman was nowhere to be seen. It was then reported that he was missing the game due to illness.

Newcastle failed to win without him – dumped out of the FA Cup by League One opposition for the second season in a row.

It was a disappointing night for the Magpies, who seriously missed Saint-Maximin’s unique ability out wide. He will have been devastated to miss out too, having looked certain to start as he continues his comeback from injury.

Next on the agenda for Newcastle is the League Cup quarter final – the biggest game of the season so far. And it sounds like Howe will have an almost fully fit squad to pick from.

Howe set for selection headache with Saint-Maximin fit to face Leicester

If Saint-Maximin is available as the Daily Mail says, it will mean Howe has plenty of options to pick from. Other than Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Targett and Emil Krafth, it sounds like Newcastle have a fully fit squad.

We saw Alexander Isak make his return on Saturday, and he will likely be on the bench to face Leicester. And he will probably be joined by Saint-Maximin.

Given the severity of Tuesday night’s game, Howe is going to put out his strongest XI, including the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson.

However, that strongest XI does not include Saint-Maximin right now. He has endured an injury hit season, and has been limited to just five starts in all competitions.

He will be hoping to make start number six on Tuesday, but that would come as a shock. Joelinton is Howe’s preferred left-winger right now, and it would be a surprise to see the Toon boss make a change for a game so big.