Newcastle United supporters are ecstatic to see Allan Saint-Maximin return to the match day squad. Pre-match talk centred around whether the Frenchman - who has been sidelined since August - would make Eddie Howe's starting line-up.
His final act as a Newcastle player was the stunning last-gasp volley against Wolverhampton Wanderers in August. However, Eddie Howe has refrained from unleashing Saint-Maximin on Brentford after over a month out with a hamstring injury - naming an unchanged team from the one that brushed aside Fulham 4-1.
The Toon boss had hinted at the maverick's return in his pre-match press conference yesterday. Howe said: He's (Saint-Maximin) doing ok and trained well this week. We're pleased with him and he's making good process. (There is a) chance he could be in the squad.
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Elsewhere, Howe has defied ChronicleLive readers by keeping Dan Burn in the starting XI. Matt Targett was benched at Fulham after picking up a pre-match knock and has not regained his place.
Joelinton also returns after suffering a minor niggle before the Fulham clash last weekend. This is how supporters reacted to the team news on social media...
@AngelNUFC: Great team, ASM will come on late and rip them apart.
@Liam72096942: Joe and maxi not starting? I doubted this team last week but in Eddie we trust
@BenjaminMancebo: ASM off the bench hat trick?
@GallowgatePete: That bench is getting stronger
@RichCop2: Not really surprised at all, played well last week. Maxi off the bench to score and assist
@ManquilloSZN: Would have liked to see Fraser or Anderson for Murphy but I was wrong last week. MAGGIESSSSSS
@thomashammond__: For once we have options off the bench am I dreaming
@GeordiePaul81: Without even looking, I was happy with the squad. Why? Because if Eddie is picking them then I believe in that alone
@J7NUFC: Can't complain at a unchanged team that beat Fulham away players deserve to keep their places
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