Saint-Maximin picked up 96th min hamstring injury after club's fastest sprint

Steve Bruce says Allan Saint-Maximin was sprinting at the fastest speed ever recorded by a Newcastle player in the Premier League when he suffered a hamstring tear last weekend.

The Magpies boss has revealed the winger touched 36.8km/h when chasing a forward ball in the dying seconds of Sunday's 2-1 win over Southampton.

However, the exertion caused Saint-Maximin an injury that is set to see him miss the next seven matches with a return date of mid January.

'He was travelling at 36.8km/h in the 96th minute,' said Bruce. 'They don't think anybody has run that fast in the Premier League for us ever before, so what can you do? He ran 30, 40, 50 yards to chase it, it was proper sprinting.'

Bruce, though, has bemoaned the loss of a player who has been influential in recent weeks. Indeed, without him in the starting XI, Newcastle have taken just two points this season.

'A football player can train every day of the week no problem,' he said. 'However, they can't play with that intensity and once they're fatigued, then you do run the risk. We'll kick ourselves, but unfortunately, these things happen.'

Bruce, whose side have lost one in seven, added: 'We all know he's got lightening pace. He's quick with the ball as well, which is the hardest of the lot. He's got such a low centre of gravity, he does things in training which you can't coach. We will miss him. He's been terrific.'

Bruce confirmed that Andy Carroll will start for only the second time at Burnley this afternoon with £40million striker Joelinton set to move to the left wing in the absence of Saint-Maximin.

The head coach also has a doubt over Miguel Almiron, meaning Christian Atsu is likely to come in to complete the front three.