ALLAN SAINT-MAXIMIN is set to miss Newcastle’s clash against Crystal Palace after picking up an injury during training.
Yet the Daily Mail claim the Frenchman was set to be dropped from the Toon team anyway due to concerns over his form.
The report adds that Steve Bruce has felt that the winger has not performed to his usual level since signing a new six-year contract.
As a result, Saint-Maximin was set to benched for the trip to Selhurst Park before he picked up a muscle injury on the eve of the game.
The 23-year-old became one of Newcastle’s top earners after agreeing a long-term deal to remain on Tyneside last month.
Saint-Maximin enjoyed a stellar start to the current campaign highlighted by a man of the match showing in the 3-1 win over Burnley on October 3.
But the former Nice star, who signed his deal just over a week after that game, hasn’t added a goal or assist in the Premier League since.
However, Saint-Maximin remains one of Newcastle’s most creative players and his absence will be a blow for a side looking to reverse a run of back-to-back defeats.
And Toon legend Alan Shearer gave a scathing assessment of his former side following their 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea.
Speaking on Match of the Day, he said: “The manager has to take responsibility because he sent the players out.
“They were very negative, there were nowhere near enough ideas going forward but also players have to take responsibility.
“They have to be braver in possession, work harder closing people down.
“Jamaal Lascelles as a captain and a leader has to stop demanding protection from midfielders in front of him and Allan Saint-Maximin hasn’t broken a sweat since signing his new six-year contract.”
