OPINION
Steve Bruce has kept faith in Newcastle United forward Joelinton this season.
The Brazilian striker has only scored the one goal so far since arriving from Hoffenheim in the 1-0 win against Tottenham but has started to become more of a nuisance in the final third in the past month.
His physicality has helped Miguel Almiron start to thrive further up the pitch, and their relationship with Allan Saint-Maximin has been pivotal in recent back-to-back Premier League wins.
Towards the end of games recently, Bruce has turned to the bench and given the chance for Dwight Gayle or Andy Carroll to come and make a difference.
Yoshinori Muto is one player that hasn’t been given the nod by Bruce frequently this season, and the forward is currently at the bottom of the pecking order in the North East.
It was reported by the Telegraph that Muto is actually keen to quit Newcastle United and leave St James’ Park in the January transfer window.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Japanese international is becoming increasingly frustrated over the lack of playing time available to him this season.
That would leave Bruce with only Joelinton, Carroll, and Gayle as his three out-and-out centre forwards available to him for the second half of the campaign.
On top of that, West Brom were reported by the Chronicle to be interested in re-signing Gayle in the winter market in a potential loan move for the forward who spent last season temporarily at the Hawthorns.
It is suggested that it is unlikely that Gayle will leave St James’ Park though, and the former Baggie could definitely be in line for a bigger role should Muto be given permission to leave.
With Carroll injury prone and Muto potentially leaving the club, Gayle could be the next in line to make an impact should Joelinton lose his place for any reason leading the line for Newcastle.
