Here are your Newcastle United evening headlines for Monday, December 21.
Saint-Maximin, Lascelles Covid-19 cases confirmed
Club sources have confirmed that Allan Saint-Maximin and Jamaal Lascelles are dealing with the long-term effects of Covid-19 after missing the last two Premier League fixtures.
Both players are believed to have suffered badly and have been unable to play or train since they contracted the virus.
Newcastle's match with Aston Villa was postponed earlier this year as the club dealt with a Covid-19 outbreak.
They have since returned to action, but Saint-Maximin, Lascelles, Emil Krafth, Isaac Hayden and Federico Fernandez were all named as players affected by the virus, either by contracting it or being a close contact with someone who had.
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Troy Deeney questions Wilson's fall
Troy Deeney has questioned Callum Wilson's decision to fall under pressure from Joachim Andersen to win a penalty.
Andersen was adjudged to have felled Wilson. He was subsequently sent off and Wilson converted the resultant penalty kick. But Deeney suggested that the Newcastle striker might have dived.
"It’s a tough one," Deeney told TalkSPORT when asked about the incident.
"Naturally, I’m sitting here thinking that’s not a penalty but with a player’s hat on, you go down because VAR needs that.
"But it is a poor one. I would’ve backed Callum to score anyway so I don’t know why he has gone."
Saint-Maximin denies Bruce bust-up
Amid reports that the pair are not getting on, Saint-Maximin has denied that there has been a bust-up between himself and Newcastle boss Bruce.
Saint-Maximin has not featured since the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea due to self-isolating after contracting Covid-19. But on an Instagram Live posted to his social media, the winger insisted that he had no issue with Bruce or the club.
"I feel great, I have no problem with Steve Bruce, the club or the fans," he said. "I am not injured. I love my life, that is all you need to know.
"This is the last time I say it I have no problem with Steve Bruce. He treats me good.
"We started well this season, I have no problems with Steve Bruce."
