Eddie Howe highlights 'incredible' 41-goal winger as Newcastle United new signing alternative emerges

Three games into the new Premier League campaign and Barnes has a goal and an assist to his name. The 26-year-old opened the scoring for Newcastle in their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Despite an injury-hit debut campaign on Tyneside, Barnes now has six goals in 24 Premier League appearances for Newcastle, though only seven of those have been starts.

Barnes arrived at Newcastle from Leicester City for £38million with a strong scoring reputation for a wide player. His Premier League tally now stands at 41 goals in 170 games for The Foxes and Magpies combined.

Only Callum Wilson (88) has scored more Premier League goals than Barnes in Newcastle’s current squad.

And Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe praised Barnes’ eye for goal following Sunday’s win.

“He has the ability not just finish really well but to take up great positions to score goals,” Howe said. “You look at his goal record, it is incredible for a wide player at this level.

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“So really pleased for him, he's fighting for a place in the team and that will only inspire us. You see Jacob Murphy's contribution, he came on with a brilliant assist so that's good to see.”

The wide positions were highlighted as a key area to strengthen during the transfer window for Newcastle. A failure to bring in a right winger risked leaving Howe short of quality options with only Murphy and Miguel Almiron established in the position.

But instead of spending a significant sum in the transfer market, Howe has used both Anthony Gordon and Barnes interchangeably on the right and left flanks as a way to give his side the biggest possible goal threat. Although both players prefer to play on the left, utilising Barnes and Gordon in the same starting line-up could be a short-term alternative to Newcastle not bolstering the right-wing position over the summer.

Last season’s top scorer Alexander Isak and new signing Will Osula are also capable of playing out wide with Isak previously starting matches on the left wing with Wilson through the middle.

Newcastle will be hoping to have Wilson back available following the international break to add to their attacking options when they return to action at Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 15 (4:30pm kick-off).