Eddie Howe makes Allan Saint-Maximin claim after shock Newcastle United defeat

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has addressed Allan Saint-Maximin’s absence against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Frenchman was expected to start the FA Cup third round clash at Hillsborough - which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Howe’s side - but missed out through illness.

Saint-Maximin has been restricted to just one start since August due to a hamstring injury.

“It was a huge disappointment that he did miss out,” Howe told reporters after the game. “We felt it would have been an ideal game for him to build his fitness and match time after his hamstring injury.

“Sometimes these things are just meant to be, it happened. Hopefully, he’ll be back soon.”

Howe revealed Saint-Maximin felt ill after Friday’s training sessions - hours before Newcastle were due to travel to Sheffield.

The Magpies boss wants to get the 25-year-old back as soon as possible. Howe’s side host Leicester City in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before welcoming Fulham to St James’ Park next weekend.

Howe added: “We hope to get Maxi back to full fitness because he’s a game changer, a match winner.

“I think you could see with him in the team tonight, the result is potentially different. All we can do is get him back and get him back as quickly as possible.”