Allan Saint-Maximin faces a nervous wait to discover if he is going to start the League Cup final for Newcastle.
Saint-Maximin is one of the players with a question mark next to his name ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United, and it remains unclear whether or not he will be included in Eddie Howe’s starting XI.
The Frenchman has endured a frustrating season so far. He started the campaign well, but then injury hit. It has been stop-start for Maxi, but now he is finally back to full fitness.
He has been back in the Newcastle side in recent weeks. Bruno Guimaraes suspension handed ASM an opportunity, and it is one he has taken slowly but surely.
Saint-Maximin has started Newcastle’s last three games, and has got better and better on each occasion.
Eddie Howe might be tempted to stick with what he knows at Wembley
But with Bruno available for the final and Joe Willock also looking to make his return from injury, it is unclear whether or not Saint-Maximin will keep his place in the side.
Throughout Newcastle’s cup run, Howe has had a settled side. He has used a midfield three of Willock, Bruno and Sean Longstaff, with Joelinton playing out wide.
And if Willock is passed fit to start, there will be real temptation to go with that side at Wembley.
However, we believe that Howe must keep Saint-Maximin in the starting lineup. He will have incredible confidence going into the game after excelling against Liverpool.
Why Allan Saint-Maximin should start the Carabao Cup final
The £16.5million man was Newcastle’s best player on the pitch in the defeat and caused real problems with his running. He got his side up the pitch and created opportunities, rather than wasting possession in key areas like he had done previously.
Momentum is a huge thing for Maxi, and he’s got it right now. Howe needs to ride the wave, and keep him in the starting XI. We have struggled for goals in recent games, which is why a confident ASM is worth his weight in gold.
Saint-Maximin can be a difference maker in the final third, and that is what we will need in the Carabao Cup final. He is a big game player, and this is the biggest of games.
Given the occasion and the appetite from Toon fans, the noise coming from the Newcastle end should be incredible. And it could help Howe’s side get off to a fast start. If that is the case, Saint-Maximin is the type of player you want to get on the ball and cause problems.
He has been a thorn in Manchester United’s side in the past too. The winger has played against the Red Devils five times in his career, scoring twice and providing one assist. He was also the driving force behind Matty Longstaff’s memorable winner against them back in 2019.
Saint-Maximin knows how to be a danger against Manchester United, and he so often steps up against the bigger sides in a Toon shirt. There is no bigger occasion than Sunday, and ASM has the ability to propel us to League Cup glory.
Howe has to pick him, whether Willock is fit to start or not.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
