Eddie Howe is hoping Allan Saint-Maximin will be fit again after the international break

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe hopes Allan Saint-Maximin will not be on the sidelines alongside Miguel Almiron.

Almiron will be out for six weeks with a hamstring injury and fears mounted when Saint-Maximin was substituted at half-time in the Magpies’ 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Howe says he stripped the striker to protect him and hopes he will be fit along with Callum Wilson after the international break.

“I didn’t think Allan was physically in good shape today,” he said. “He has a tight Achilles tendon. I don’t think it’s a pull, it’s just a little tight.

“It was clear to me in the first half that he probably wouldn’t be able to continue.

“I didn’t want to embarrass Callum today, he didn’t train much so I went with Elliot (Anderson) and he paid me back, he did really well.

“Hopefully we’ll have Callum and Maxi fit and available again after the international break.”

Alexander Isak played for Newcastle with both goals on the city ground.

Emmanuel Dennis had put Forest ahead but Isak equalized with a skillful volley just before half-time and then won it deep in injury time, scoring from the spot to score three goals in two games.

“Confidence is key for any attacking player and the penalty was freezing,” he said. “It was a big moment for us in our season.

“It’s not easy, especially with the delay. But he took it really well, including the first goal. It was a somewhat unorthodox ending.”

Newcastle won the penalty after the ball struck Moussa Niakhate’s outstretched arm, marring the defender’s first start since August.

The centre-back was visibly distraught after the incident and head coach Steve Cooper says his side, whose fears of relegation have worsened after the defeat, will stick together.

“He will be disappointed. There is no individual fault, I believe in that,” said the head coach.

“Whatever the results and the performance, we must do it as one with cohesion. In the end, it makes you stronger in the long run. All players will make mistakes but the most important thing is that we stick together.

“We’re all disappointed and not making it an individual.”