Steve Bruce keeps faith with Joelinton as Fabian Schar returns

Steve Bruce has kept faith with misfiring striker Joelinton at Selhurst Park.
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Newcastle United take on Crystal Palace this afternoon looking for their first Premier League win in four games.

And Bruce had a decision to make with Joelinton – who has been troubled by a thigh injury – after Dwight Gayle returned from a hamstring injury ahead of the game.

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However, £40million signing Joelinton – who Bruce yesterday admitted was not a “natural goalscorer” – has been handed a start against Roy Hodgson’s Palace team, while Gayle is among the substitutes.

Asked about Joelinton, head coach Bruce said: “He'll learn from what has been a difficult first half of the season for him. As long has he keeps working hard, and shows the right attitude. We’re convinced that we have a player in there.

"He might not be a natural goalscorer, that's the key. He has to be a bit more selfish and think about scoring goals.”

United’s head coach is without a number of players, including Andy Carroll and Jonjo Shelvey. Newcastle are 13th in the Premier League, while Palace are a point behind them in 14th place.

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Meanwhile, Palace’s January signing Cenk Tosun is on the home bench along with former United winger Andros Townsend.

Isaac Hayden at Selhurst Park.Isaac Hayden at Selhurst Park.
Isaac Hayden at Selhurst Park.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Guaita, Ward, Cahill, Tomkins, van Aanholt, Ayew, McArthur, Milivojevic, McCarthy, Zaha, Benteke. Subs: Hennessey, Meye, Townsend, Tosun, Kelly, Brandon Keutcha, Riedewald.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Dubravka; Lazaro, Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez, Rose; Bentaleb, S Longstaff; Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton. Subs: Darlow, Ritchie, Gayle, Hayden, Lejeune, Yedlin, M Longstaff.