Newcastle suffer huge injury blow with Allan Saint-Maximin facing extended spell on the sidelines

Newcastle United have been dealt a significant blow following the news that Allan Saint-Maximin has suffered a hamstring injury.

Newcastle have managed to find another gear at the business end of the Premier League, leapfrogging Manchester United into third place on goal difference.

Most recently, Eddie Howe's side came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1, extending their run to five league wins on the bounce.

However, the Magpies will be unable to call on Saint-Maximin for a number of games, with the 26-year-old facing an extended spell on the sidelines.

How long is he out for?

Saint-Maximin went for for a scan following Newcastle's 5-1 win over West Ham last week, which revealed damage to his hamstring. As a result, the tricky winger missed Saturday’s victory against Brentford

Speaking after the game, Howe speculated that Saint-Maximin would be out for “maybe a couple of weeks”.

“I don’t think it’s serious with Allan,” said Howe.

“He didn’t feel 100 per-cent in the West Ham game so we decided to scan him and it revealed a very minor problem with his hamstring. We knew pretty much straight away he wasn’t going to be available for this game.

“Maybe a couple of weeks - I’m guessing slightly. Nothing too serious but that was a big blow because of the form Allan has been in. But again, we back the strength of the squad.”

However, following further tests, NewcastleWorld claim that Saint-Maximin could be sidelined for four to six weeks.

The injury has come at a frustrating time for the Frenchman who was beginning to establish himself as a regular in the side, having started four consecutive games for the first time since August.

Subsequently, Saint-Maximin is likely to miss Newcastle's clash against Arsenal on the 7th of May.

At a glance, the fixture could be not only title-defining, but also determine whether Newcastle are able to clinch Champions League qualification.

Saint-Maximin is also expected to miss matches against Aston Villa, Tottenham, Everton and Southampton.