Sky Sports pundit Alex McLeish has questioned why Newcastle United did not sign a winger in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Saint-Maximin injury

Speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday afternoon's 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace, Magpies manager Eddie Howe admitted that Allan Saint-Maximin had to be assessed after picking up an injury.

The Frenchman did not make the matchday squad in the end and also missed their 2-1 defeat at Liverpool through injury, sparking concern over his fitness.

The Latest: McLeish reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish questioned why another winger was not signed this summer, claiming that Newcastle 'will rue' not bringing in cover for Saint-Maximin following his latest injury setback.

The former Aston Villa manager said of Howe's squad: “I think maybe a winger, they don’t have too much depth there. Well, they have depth but there isn’t a lot of quality once someone like Saint-Maximin gets injured.

“I’m sure they tried, we know they have the resources. Maybe Isak can play out wide but he’s going to play through the middle while Wilson is out.

“It’s a funny one, I just think they will rue not getting a winger in as the season goes on because we know what is going to happen with injuries.”

The Verdict: Missed opportunity

There was certainly a missed opportunity from Newcastle by not signing a new winger.

They were linked with moves for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Moura and Everton's Anthony Gordon towards the end of the transfer window, but a deal for either of those never materialised.

With Saint-Maximin injured, the Magpies only have two natural wingers in their squad available at the moment in Ryan Fraser and Jacob Murphy, and if either or both of those were to pick up an injury as well, it would leave them very short in that area of the pitch.

Therefore, you can understand why McLeish has questioned the club's inability to add to their wide attacking ranks when they had the chance to do so.