Allan Saint-Maximin will return for Newcastle against Spurs

Saint-Maximin’s groin injury has recovered sufficiently for him to have taken part in a series of full training sessions this week, and provided there are no unforeseen setbacks in the next 24 hours, the Frenchman will be back in the starting line-up against Spurs.

Almiron will also feature in the Magpies’ starting XI, having spent the last fortnight building up his fitness after he struggled on his return from injury in the 3-0 defeat at Brighton that preceded the international break.

However, while it had been hoped Wilson would also be able to feature against Tottenham, Newcastle’s leading scorer continues to be troubled by the hamstring issue that has sidelined him for the best part of two months.

“The break has allowed us to get two or three much closer to match fitness,” said Bruce. “It’s been another two weeks for Almiron who, for me, probably wasn’t 100 per cent fit against Brighton.

“Allan could be involved (against Spurs). We’ve still got a bit of time to train, but he came through a big training session 48 hours ago. He’s a bit more advanced than Callum is, so we hope he can play some part. Callum? I wouldn’t have thought so.”

Given Wilson’s importance to Newcastle this season, Bruce’s reluctance to rush the striker back into action is understandable, despite the obvious importance of the Spurs game given the two-point gap that currently separates the Magpies from the bottom three.

“We’ve still got a couple of days before the Tottenham game, and he’s been in and around the training all week,” said Bruce. “But it looks as though the Burnley game (a week on Sunday) is more realistic, yes.”

While Isaac Hayden has avoided the need for surgery on his knee injury, Bruce has confirmed he does not expect the midfielder to play again this season.

Newcastle (probable, 4-3-3): Dubravka; Manquillo, Fernandez, Lascelles, Dummett; Hendrick, Shelvey, Willock; Fraser, Almiron, Saint-Maximin.