---
title: "Newcastle: Luke Edwards clarifies Allan Saint-Maximin’s recent absence"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/saint-maximin-newcastle-absence-luke-edwards/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2022-03-14T13:45:51Z"
modified: "2022-03-14T13:45:51Z"
---

# Newcastle: Luke Edwards clarifies Allan Saint-Maximin’s recent absence

**Newcastle United journalist Luke Edwards has moved to quash any suggestion that Allan Saint-Maximin has become unsettled at St James’ Park.**

### The lowdown

The 25-year-old hasn’t started a game for the Magpies for around a month now. He missed the trips to West Ham United and Brentford with a [minor injury](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/allan-saint-maximin/leistungsdaten/spieler/272642) before returning as a substitute for the win over Brighton and Hove Albion in early March.

Having been [absent once again](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/allan-saint-maximin/leistungsdaten/spieler/272642) for the midweek visit to Southampton, he came off the bench for the final 20 minutes of the defeat against Chelsea on Sunday.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”389224″\]

### The latest

Edwards [took to Twitter](https://twitter.com/LukeEdwardsTele/status/1502932217454026756) on Sunday morning to explain the reasons behind Saint-Maximin’s recent absences, strongly refuting any apparent claims that the Frenchman is unsettled on Tyneside.

The Telegraph journalist stated: “Allan Saint Maximin has been feeling unwell. So before the rumours of disenchantment and unrest start being spread by fake in-the-know types, there is nothing more to his absence from midweek game than that. His relationship with club, teammates and manager is very good.”

### The verdict

What reason would [£38,500-per-week](https://www.spotrac.com/epl/newcastle-united-fc/payroll/) forward have to be unhappy at Newcastle?

After facing the threat of relegation earlier in the season (even [enduring a spell](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle-united-vs-brentford-report-25506977) at the very bottom of the table), they are now a club on the up. In fact, since Matchweek 20, they are actually third in the [Premier League form table](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/formtabelle/wettbewerb/GB1?saison_id=2021&min=20&max=29), trailing only the title-chasing duo of Liverpool and Manchester City.

Also, given that Saint-Maximin [leads the squad](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/top-scorers) for goal contributions with eight, he could well be a player around whom the club’s [mega-rich owners](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/12428222/newcastle-united-takeover-q-a-how-and-why-newcastle-have-become-one-of-the-worlds-richest-football-clubs#) are looking to build their [hugely ambitious](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/12428462/amanda-staveley-says-newcastles-long-term-ambition-is-to-win-premier-league-after-takeover) project.

Edwards’ strongly-worded tweet should allay any fears there may have been among the Toon Army that the French maestro would be ticked off with life on Tyneside.

**In other news, [read this insider’s claim on Harry Kane’s links with Newcastle](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-transfer-rumours/newcastle-united-dean-jones-makes-harry-kane-transfer-claim/)**