Steve Bruce has admitted he is considering giving Andy Carroll his chance to partner Callum Wilson in the weeks ahead.
The Geordie striker netted his first goal of the season with a crisp strike against Leicester City in the 2-1 defeat and while the moment "meant nothing" in the words of Carroll himself, the former West Ham star is eager to show what he can do alongside eight-goal Wilson.
Wilson and Carroll started the season as strike partners against West Ham but the combination has been rarely tested since from the start of a match.
Carroll, who celebrated his 32nd birthday today, would love the chance to lead the line against Arsenal in the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium, a venue he once scored a memorable winner at for the Magpies in 2010.
Bruce said: "He wants to play every game.
"The good thing now is he's obviously fit and raring to go.
"We've played him up there only a couple of times with Callum Wilson so yeah it is something to think about.
"It's something to work on."
Newcastle emerged with just a single point from their festive fixtures after holding Liverpool and losing to Leicester and Manchester City.
Bruce can now put those tough fixtures behind him and focus on the FA Cup before a trip to Sheffield United next week.
Bruce, speaking to BBC Sport, said: "It is the Premier League.
"When you get them all at once you know how difficult it will be.
"It has been a difficult Christmas period I could not fault their endeavour if we keep showing that spirit we will be OK."
