Allan Saint-Maximin was denied the opportunity of crucial match minutes in an "ideal game" against Sheffield Wednesday after taking ill ahead of the game.

Eddie Howe was planning to hand Saint-Maximin his first start since August in the FA Cup third round tie at Hillsborough but those plans had to be changed at short notice due to illness.

"He felt unwell after training yesterday," confirmed Howe after the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

"It was a huge disappointment he did miss out. We felt this would have been the ideal game for him to build his fitness and match time after his hamstring injury. Sometimes these things are meant to be and hopefully he'll be back soon."

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Newcastle could have done with Saint-Maximin's spark in the final third at Hillsborough as a lack of clinical edge cost the Magpies dear against their League One opponents.

Howe said: "We hope to get him back to full fitness. He's a game-changer, a matchwinner. All we can do is get him back and get him back to full fitness."

Watching from home, Saint-Maximin took to Instagram during the game, posting: “Always behind you guys, I will be back very soon."