Allan Saint-Maximin will be missing when Newcastle face Crystal Palace on Friday night after picking up a muscle injury in training on the eve of the game, Sportsmail understands.
However, dressing-room sources say Steve Bruce was ready to drop the winger for the trip to Selhurst Park after a recent loss of form.
There is a feeling inside Newcastle’s Benton base that Saint-Maximin has not performed to his usual level since signing a new six-year contract last month.
And sources have told us that the 23-year-old was set to be relegated to the bench before the injury concern arose and he dropped out of a training session ahead of the game.