Early team news from Steve Bruce - 2 out, 1 major doubt, 2 fit & Allan Saint-Maximin set to start?

There's both good and bad news on the fitness front for us Newcastle fans ahead of tonight’s clash with Crystal Palace.

Bruce has confirmed that Allan Saint-Maximin is set for a place in the starting lineup after making another positive impact from the bench last weekend.

The NUFC boss believes he's now ready to return after stepping up his match fitness - and he may need to with Ryan Fraser a major doubt after sickness has seen him sit out of training since that 0-2 win over Everton.

Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett have also been made available, with the former set to come back into the side at the expense of Jamal Lascelles - who is ruled out for the next few weeks with a hamstring injury.

Federico Fernandez also remains on the treatment table, with Bruce confirming that the Argentine is no closer to returning after injuring himself in that 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United last month.

Here's what Bruce has had to say on all of the above:

“Jamaal Lascelles will be unavailable for a few weeks.

“Fede [Fernandez] is still a good couple of weeks away.”

"Ryan Fraser has been sick over the weekend and couldn't train over the weekend.

"Paul Dummett and Ciaran Clark will be available.

"He's (Saint-Maximin) had three substitute appearances and we think he could be ready to start."

So three in, three out for Newcastle as we prepare for a game where we must capitalise on a superb performance against Everton.

Luckily for us, the changes that will come as a result are pretty much like-for-like, with Saint-Maximin and Clark coming in for Lascelles and Fraser as big a no brainer as there could be.

Dummett’s return is good news as he provides cover in the centre and left side of defence, and also keeps Jamal Lewis on his toes - who had his best display in a Toon shirt at the weekend.

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