ALLAN SAINT-MAXIMIN is delighted to be back on the assists trail as Newcastle United close in on Champions League qualification with ten games of the season to go.

Saint-Maximin set up the Magpies’ opening goal in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Manchester United as he nodded the ball across goal, enabling Joe Willock to head past David de Gea from close range.

The Newcastle winger was then at it again on Wednesday as he delivered the cross that resulted in Callum Wilson heading home the opening goal of his side’s 5-1 thrashing of West Ham.

Saint-Maximin almost claimed another assist at the London Stadium as he teed up Jacob Murphy for a shot that was saved in the second half, and while the Frenchman will always prioritise the team’s performance over any personal feats, he admits it is nice to be playing such a prominent role after a period that has seen him drop in and out of the side.

“I feel great,” said Saint-Maximin, who is currently starting on the left of Newcastle’s front three. “The most important is the team, but if you can get assists as well, it’s good.

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“I am very happy for the team, and very happy for the two goals of Joelinton as well. This was very important for the team, but we need to be focused for the next game against Brentford.

“It’s good (to get assists). People talk about consistency and end product, so that’s what I give at the moment, but it’s not my main focus - my main focus is on the team, and when we win, I’m happy.”

Saint-Maximin did not start a Premier League game between the end of August and the start of February, as a combination of injury and the superb form of Joelinton meant he found himself out of the limelight.

He has started seven of the Magpies’ last eight league games though, and claims periods out of the side are something all of Newcastle’s attackers are going to have to get used to, such is the strength of the competition within Eddie Howe’s squad.

“You can see the strength of the team with the players who came on,” he said. “We have (Anthony) Gordon, (Alexander) Isak and Joe Willock who came on, and they start games as well, so we have an incredible team.

“We just need to be focused. It’s tough because there are so many good players and everyone wants to start. Some players come on and want to give everything to try and start the next game. It's a good sensation because everyone wants to give everything to be on the pitch. We like that because it pushes us to be even better.”