Allan Saint-Maximin drops exciting double Newcastle United fitness hint ahead of Southampton clash

Allan Saint-Maximin insists he and Alexander Isak are ready to start Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Southampton.

The attacking pair made a big impact when introduced with 25 minutes remaining at St Mary’s as Isak set up Joelinton goal to take a 1-0 lead into the deciding leg.

Saint-Maximin, meanwhile, looked sharp after a foul by Duje Caleta-Ca resulted in a yellow card for the Saints central defender.

Both players have become used to substitute appearances in recent weeks - but Saint-Maximin believes they are ready for a recall to the starting line-up.

“You can see the fitness levels of me and Isak are great,” Saint-Maximin told BBC Newcastle. “It’s been a long time.

“We work hard individually because when you don’t start, you need to get some minutes and we work very hard outside training.

“In every training session, we always ask to do even more after training to be able to be ready and to be at the level the manager wants us to be.

“Now, Alex and I are ready to start.”

Saint-Maximin kicked off the 2022-23 campaign in top form after he followed up a man of the match display against Manchester City with a stunning equaliser at Wolves a week later.

However, that trip to Molineux in August was the winger’s last Premier League start after picking up a hamstring injury. He returned before the World Cup break but has had to remain patient in his quest for minutes.

The 25-year-old’s situation hasn’t been too dissimilar to Isak’s. A thigh injury ruled the club’s £60million club-record signing out for three months before returning to action earlier this month.

Saint-Maximin is raring to go, and is relishing the chance to play against Isak.

“I like to play with all the players but I will say we have a similar story,” Saint-Maximin added. “I spend a lot of time with him and he is an incredible player.

“Isak and me we have the same situation where we get an injury and after it was very difficult to come back, especially when the team was playing so well.

“I have a great connection with him and you can see that on the pitch. We have a very good team.

“Tonight was a very good contribution from Isak and me. We pushed hard together to try and get the manager to let us play. It was a great game for us.”