Steve Bruce gives Joelinton update at Newcastle United

The striker has scored one goal in 1,359 minutes of Premier League football since joining the club in a £40million summer move from Hoffenheim.

Joelinton has laboured up front in recent months, and Bruce has admitted ahead of the Boxing Day fixture against Manchester United that the 23-year-old is “short of confidence” after a barren run in front of goal.

“At the minute, he’s a little bit short of confidence,” said head coach. “We know there’s a good player in there. I’m convinced of that.”

Newcastle, unbeaten at hoe since August, ninth in the Premier League following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at St James’s Park. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side, beaten 1-0 at St James’s Park in October, are ahead of them on goal difference.