Allan Saint-Maximin's consistent form has resulted in Callum Wilson's injury not being as costly as first feared, according to Newcastle World journalist Liam Kennedy.

When is Wilson expected to return from injury?

Wilson suffered a thigh injury during Newcastle's stalemate with Southampton in August, leading to a spell on the sidelines.

However, Steve Bruce is keeping his cards close to his chest when it comes to revealing Wilson's return date, with the Magpies' head coach refusing to put a timescale on the recovery time.

The 29-year-old's injury came as a blow to Newcastle as Joelinton and Dwight Gayle are the only other strikers at the club and the £20million frontman has scored 14 goals in 31 appearances since joining from Bournemouth last year.

Wilson also started the new campaign in promising form as he found the back of the net twice in three outings.

The striker's absence has led to winger Saint-Maximim being deployed in the less familiar centre forward role in the Magpies' last three fixtures.

Enter Giveaway

Enter Giveaway

What has Liam Kennedy said about Saint-Maximin's form in Wilson's absence?

Kennedy believes Wilson's goal threat means his time on the treatment table has come as a blow to Bruce's side.

However, he feels Saint-Maximin has done an impressive job of filling in for the former Bournemouth man despite a lack of previous experience as a centre forward.

Kennedy told GIVEMESPORT: "Any Premier League team would miss a striker like Callum Wilson because of his goals.

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"He's brought goals to this Newcastle United side and that mantle has been taken up by Allan Saint-Maximin who, luckily, is playing at a really high, consistent level this season.

"Of the last six games, he has played a full 90 minutes in all of them, which is not something we've been able to really see over the last two seasons."

How has Saint-Maximin caught the eye this season?

Saint-Maximin has not missed a single minute of the Premier League campaign and has registered two goals, along with three assists, to boot.

That has taken the 24-year-old's tally to 20 goal contributions in 57 top flight appearances since moving to Tyneside from French side Nice in a £16.5million deal two years ago.

Saint-Maximin penned a new six-year contract worth £38,462-per-week last October but that has not stopped other clubs taking an interest in the Frenchman.

Reports suggest Premier League rivals Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton are keeping tabs on Saint-Maximin due to his fine form.