Steve Bruce makes blunt admission on Joelinton

That’s the view of Steve Bruce after watching the club’s £40million summer signing struggle up front against Southampton.

Carroll changed yesterday’s game at St James’s Park after replacing Joelinton with Newcastle trailing 1-0. The striker set up Jonjo Shelvey’s equaliser – and United went on to win 2-1 to move up to 10th place in the Premier League.

Bruce has conceded that it’s “not easy” for the 22-year-old, who’s still adapting to English football following his move from Hoffenheim.

“It’s that confidence one with him,” said head coach Bruce. “He’s got to learn from big Andy. He’s new into the Premier League and is only young, and, of course, a lot of things get labelled at him with the big price tag. I’m still convinced he’ll be a big asset to us. He’s learning, and like everyone who comes to the Premier League, he’s finding it’s not easy.”