Newcastle: Allan Saint-Maximin & Jamaal Lascelles suffering from Covid-19

Saint-Maximin joined Newcastle from Nice for £16.5m in 2019

Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin and captain Jamaal Lascelles are both suffering from the long-term effects of coronavirus and it is not known when they will return.

The pair were among several players to have contracted the virus when an outbreak hit the club earlier this month.

That forced the postponement of Newcastle's game against Aston Villa and the training ground was closed for over a week.

Manager Steve Bruce said on Friday that two of his players had suffered "damaging effects" of the virus and had been "struggling for a while with it".

At that point, the club had not named the players in question.

But after reports emerged on Monday that the players had fallen out with Bruce, the club clarified the reason for their recent absence.

And later on Monday, Saint-Maximin posted on social media to dismiss rumours of a fallout with Bruce, who takes Newcastle to Brentford on Tuesday for a Carabao Cup quarter-final (17:30 GMT kick-off).

"For the last time, I love Steve Bruce, I have no problem with him," said Saint-Maximin.

"Everything is good. I have no problems, nothing - not injured, no problem with the club or with Steve Bruce.

"I love the club. I love the fans. I love everything. I love my life in England and everything, and I feel great. That's the only things you have to know."

Meanwhile, there were seven new positive coronavirus results in the latest round of testing conducted by the Premier League.

A total of 1,569 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19 between 14 and 20 December.

Those who have tested positive - who have not been identified - will now isolate for 10 days.

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