Newcastle United will make the long trip to the south coast for their Premier League clash with Southampton at St Mary's this weekend, and Eddie Howe will be hoping his team can keep up their unbeaten run.

The Magpies have not lost a game in their last eight outings and as a result have climbed into the top four alongside Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur which is an extremely impressive achievement for the manager who took over just 12 months ago when the side were rock bottom in the league table.

Howe will surely be hoping that his side can retain their top-four status when club football breaks for the World Cup in a few weeks, putting them in a strong position to compete for a chance to play European football next season when they return to action after Christmas.

As a result, the former Bournemouth boss must deploy his best team and best-attacking players over their last two league fixtures to secure all six points from the clashes.

Newcastle have been given a fantastic boost ahead of their trip to Southampton on Sunday as Allan Saint-Maximin returned to the matchday squad last weekend in the 4-0 victory over Aston Villa, coming onto the pitch for a short eight-minute appearance in the 86th minute.

Yesterday, the talented winger was pictured in full team training and looked like he was getting stuck into preparations for the weekend, so there is no doubt that Howe must unleash Saint-Maximin against Saints.

Before sustaining a hamstring injury in late August, the £93k-per-week ace - who was hailed "absolutely phenomenal" by Shay Given - scored a stunning equaliser against Wolverhampton Wanderers, so he will be desperate to pick up where he left off against Ralph Hasenhuttl's side this weekend.

Over six Premier League appearances this season, Saint-Maximin has scored one goal, delivered two assists and created two big chances, as well as averaging 1.2 key passes, 2.7 dribbles and winning possession of the ball 1.2 times per game.

The left winger's most notable performance of the season came from his performance in the 3-3 draw with Manchester City where he displayed some of his best football.

Saint-Maximin registered two assists, made four key passes, won eight duels and completed five out of his six dribble attempts to split the points with Pep Guardiola's side over the high-intensity clash.

With that being said, there is no doubt that Howe should start Saint-Maximin this weekend as he could terrify Southampton and play a huge part in securing another win for the Magpies. Just imagine the thought of him and in the in-form Miguel Almiron on each winger; it's a mouth-watering thought for the Toon Army.