The FOUR Newcastle United options, including a tactical switch, available to Steve Bruce as he looks to plug Callum Wilson gap

So how do you replace a 10-goal frontman, bang in form, and operating as the focal point to a brand new, successful system and way of playing? That’s the question facing head coach Steve Bruce and his assistant Graeme Jones this weekend.

United head to Chelsea without £20 million man Wilson following the devastating news the striker will miss the next six to eight weeks with a hamstring tear. The issue may yet require an operation.

One man’s misfortune is another man's opportunity, though. And FOUR players look the most likely to be handed the chance to deputise for Wilson at Stamford Bridge and beyond.

Here writer Liam Kennedy takes a look at the quartet in the frame...

The controversial but ‘path of least resistance’ option

Selecting Joelinton is the most obvious move, if Steve Bruce wants to find a player to slot into Newcastle United’s new system perfectly.

As we all know, though, there are obvious flaws with this plan.

Joelinton does not score goals and is anything but dynamic in his play. What Wilson provides in abundance, the Brazilian lacks.

But in his favour he would tick the physical approach box, and gives a high ‘out ball’ route for the defenders, something they may rely upon against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.

And with Wilson playing as a wide forward in the new 4-3-3 system, Joelinton would be playing a role he’s used to.

Selecting Joelinton would mean Bruce and Graeme Jones would have to make very few tactical tweeks, and would prove the path of least resistance. Whether it would be anything close to the answer to the problem, is another thing altogether.

The goalscoring replacement

Dwight Gayle is, to many, the only real replacement for injured Wilson.

And it’s easy to see why. Gayle is a proven operator at Premier League level in terms of scoring goals. Yes, he is no Wilson, but he is a quality finisher and if he can rekindle the level of performance he reached in the first lockdown then it’s a no brainer for Bruce & Co.

The issue is the positioning, as Wilson was not United’s central attack option, he was playing out wide on the right, funneling in when United have the ball. This is a position Wilson has played in his career previous, Gayle much less so. Is this something he can adapt to?

The 31-year-old frontman has cut a frustrated figure at United in recent months, angry at his lack of gametime, particularly when Newcastle and Wilson were not scoring. And this opportunity is everything he’s been waiting for.

The player would need to improve and adapt a little to fit the system but I’m sure the will is there to do it.

This, for me, is the approach Bruce must look to adopt.

And looking at his words from the Thursday press conference, it seems to be the option Bruce is also favouring.

The route one option

We all know who I’m talking about here.

Andy Carroll can think himself unlucky he’s not played more of late, as when called upon recently he’s been a positive influence on the team. But – and it’s a big, capital letters BUT – he just doesn’t get close to fitting into this system.

Bringing Carroll back would likely mean Miguel Almiron’s role would shift – and that’s the last thing in the world Bruce will want to do, you’d hope.

Almiron has been a revelation in recent weeks and was the catalyst for the win over Southampton – with two goals as well as covering almost every blade of grass on the St James’ Park pitch.

Carroll does not have the legs to play the wide forward role, it isn’t his game. It’s never been his game. Bringing him in would likely trigger too many changes to other roles – and for now, means he is likely to remain Plan B or C off the bench.

The left-field, dynamic approach

No strikers you say? Well, it’s not as mad as you think.

Could Ryan Fraser fill in on the right in the absence of Wilson? Well, he’d definitely give you legs and is a natural wide player, but no physical threat.

Away from home against a side you’re unlikely to have much of the ball against he could give a dynamic ‘out ball’ option. On the other hand it might mean the ball comes back quicker, with no one to hold things, which is required from time-to-time. It is hard to see how any of Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin or Fraser will trouble any Premier League defenders with their physicality, even if the latter two are certainly not weak.

This could, however, be an option explored by Bruce and tactician Jones as United look to find the answers to filling the gap left behind by 10-goal Wilson.

It would be a left-field idea. And to be honest, the last time Bruce tried to reinvent the wheel with his two false 10s it didn’t go very well at all. For that reason, this could be one benched for another day – if, I’d imagine, the likely preferred option of Gayle leading from the right doesn’t work out as well as initially planned.

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