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Steve Bruce cannot let player power prematurely end £22.5m-rated trickster’s season – opinion

Newcastle United overcame Southampton 1-0 at the weekend to record their first victory in five matches and finally break their streak of going goalless in four consecutive games. The visitors received a significant boost when Moussa Djenepo got himself sent off after just 28 minutes for a late tackle. Steve Bruce’s side were unable to take advantage of the extra man for much of the match, but eventually, Allan Saint-Maximin pounced on some poor Saints defending to prod past Alex McCarthy.

The week before reports had emerged that the Frenchman was unhappy to have been left out by Bruce against Burnley. Although he has both scored and assisted since, the manager reiterated his concern with the player’s fitness. The Newcastle manager revealed his fears by saying, he “damaged his hamstring and I still think at times in training you look at him and he’s still a bit ginger with it”.

Though Saint-Maximin, valued at £22.5m (Transfermarkt), adds incredible value to the side with his dribbling prowess and ability to rapidly transition play forward, if Bruce does not think he is fit, then the winger should not be starting. He may have lasted the full 90 minutes at the weekend and helped Newcastle to 35 Premier League points, but from the manager’s comments, it sounds like the 22-year-old’s hamstring is a ticking time bomb. For someone who relies upon his explosive speed, he cannot be allowed to use his player power over the manager to risk sustaining a rupture or tear of the muscle that could prematurely end his season.

In Saint-Maximin’s place, while the injury fully heals, Christian Atsu would be a perfect replacement. The Ghanaian winger has a similar skill set to his younger teammate and has lightening pace with outstanding close control, so Newcastle would not need to adapt their system or tactics. Furthermore, he has registered a team-high three assists this campaign, which means he has been involved in the same number of Premier League goals as Saint-Maximin, who has scored twice and assisted once, as per WhoScored.

If Saint-Maximin is allowed to exert control over Bruce, it puts not only the player but the manager’s position at risk. Should the Frenchman sustain a third hamstring injury this season, it will be Bruce facing up to media questioning on why he was allowed to continue playing.

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