Steve Bruce is desperate to see Allan Saint-Maximin up and running in a black and white shirt.
The summer signing from Nice has already proved to be a hit off the field with his charity work with the city's foodbank charity .
And the ex-Monaco man has reached out with supporters on social media in fine style.
Now the Toon head coach is hoping that his hamstring problems are behind him and the flying winger can produce on the field.
After announcing he was fit again , Bruce said: “He’s (Saint-Maximin) certainly a character.
"He is what you see on the pitch – he’s that off it too.
"He wants to entertain."
Bruce is likely to include Saint-Maximin in the squad against Brighton.
Saint-Maximin has managed just 40 minutes on the field so far since his switch from Nice.
Bruce said: "We all want him on the pitch and playing well. He’s got that ability to get people off their seats and do something a bit different.
"I’m sure I’ll have many awkward nights with him, but we’re just concentrating about getting him back on the pitch."
