Newcastle United have been dealt a late injury setback over wide midfielder Allan Saint-Maximin...

What's the latest?

Magpies reporter Miles Starforth has quoted the Magpies as saying that the French attacker is not fully fit ahead of their clash with Southampton at St. Mary's tonight.

The former OCG Nice man has not started any of the club's last three matches, with one substitute appearance against Brighton his only outing since the draw with Aston Villa.

Starforth Tweeted: "Eddie Howe on Allan Saint-Maximin's fitness: 'He’s not 100% fit. We’re very keen to have him back, and back at his best.'"

Fuming

This update will surely leave the fans fuming as it indicates that he is not at the required level of fitness to be named in the starting line-up tonight.

Supporters will be frustrated that he has not been able to shake off his knock after he was able to come off the bench against the Seagulls last week. It suggests that he has not been able to kick on throughout the week to get himself in a position to be fully ready for the clash with Southampton.

After the win against Everton earlier this year Howe heaped praise on the forward, saying: "Allan was his magical best tonight, such a difficult player to play when he is in that mood.

"He's such a special player. We've seen in the last few weeks that he's got better and better since I've been here. He's a match winner, and we're going to need him at this level for the rest of the season."

This shows how highly the head coach rates him and the last line - in particular - highlights why his current lack of fitness is a huge blow for the club. Howe wants the winger at his very best and he will not be able to produce that if he is resigned to the bench or not playing at 100%.

Saint-Maximin's quality is another reason why the fans will be gutted with this news. The Frenchman has five goals and three assists in the Premier League this season and is a constant threat to the opposition with his exciting play down the flank.

As per SofaScore, he has completed 4.5 dribbles and 1.5 key passes per game in the top-flight. This shows that he is able to take players on with the ball before delivering end product, which can get fans off their seats in excitement and that is why they will be gutted by his lack of fitness.

AND in other news,  Game-changer: Howe must finally unleash "exceptionally talented" £27m-rated NUFC star...