Allan Saint-Maximin addresses his Newcastle United future

Saint-Maximin’s return from a groin problem has coincided with an upturn in fortunes for Steve Bruce’s side. The 17th-placed club takes on Arsenal at St James’s Park this afternoon on the back of two wins and two draws last month.

And Saint-Maximin, under contract until 2026, has spoken about his “ambition” in an interview with the matchday programme.

“My ambition’s to go up (in the Premier League) with the club,” said the 24-year-old. “It’s what I say always when we talk with the players and everything – we have a good team, you know, but in the Premier League it’s not enough to have only a good team.

“Every team has some good players and play well. The most important to do exactly what you do in training in the team.

"If in training we play really, really great football, we have go do the same in a game. Every player works on this, and sometimes its really hard, because, like against Burnley, we worked a lot and were really good in training, and after, we start the game and we are 1-0 down.

"This sometimes is hard, but for my future, I know I need to play in the team and play good football. That’s why I try to do everything in Newcastle to play better.

“I’m really happy. If you see when I play in my position, No.10, it’s more east for me to help my team to play good football. That’s what I hope I keep going to play in my position to help my team as much as possible.

"I hope we don’t fight again to not go down. For me, Newcastle should not have to fight like this, you know.”

Bruce spoke about Saint-Maximin’s influence at his pre-match press conference.

“We were looking (at his statistics) – he’s played three 90 minutes all season,” said United’s head coach.

"And we all know, if you watch Newcastle regularly, when Allan’s in the team, we’re a better team – and that’s what I’ve been quietly trying to get through.

“I remember saying in one of my first press conferences when we signed him was that he’ll get you off your seat.”