Newcastle United issue Allan Saint-Maximin update ahead of Liverpool amid injury scare

Eddie Howe believes Allan Saint-Maximin is gradually getting back to his best at Newcastle United.

The Frenchman has started back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since August when he followed up a man of the match display against Manchester City with a late equaliser at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Although Saint-Maximin continues to divide opinion among supporters, the winger did have a big hand in Miguel Almiron’s equaliser at Bournemouth on Saturday.

Howe, speaking after the 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium, credited the 25-year-old for an “improved performance” having also started against West Ham seven days previous.

“With Maxi, he produced an improved performance from last week, and I think that’s him finding his rhythm again after being out for a long time,” said the United head coach.

“I was pleased with him today. Probably in the first two-thirds, he was very good but the final action was missing, though that will come.

“He needs games for that rhythm to return, but there was lot of good stuff from him too.”

Saint-Maximin has been restricted to just seven starts in all competitions after sustaining a hamstring injury during the early part of the campaign.

There were fears the former Nice winger had picked up a nasty-looking injury after hobbling off inside the remaining 10 minutes on the South Coast. However, Howe is hopeful it is just a knock.

“Miggy (Almiron) and Maxi I don’t think are too bad,” the 45-year-old said. “Miggy, I think got a stamp on his, so I think he’ll be OK. Maxi, I think, was just a knock.

“The concern from today is Joe Willock who has a hamstring problem. We’ll see how he is.”