Joelinton needs a goal 'off his backside' and has been let down by the supply from his Newcastle United team-mates Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin.
That's the view of former England international Emile Heskey, who believes the Magpies have not played to the Brazilian's strengths so far.
Joelinton has endured a difficult start to his career in black-and-white since completing a club-record deal from Hoffenheim last summer.
The number nine netted just twice in the Premier League in his debut season, and the acquisition of Callum Wilson now means he is no longer guaranteed to start for Steve Bruce's side.
The 24-year-old was introduced as a late substitute in United's last outing at Southampton, and opened his account for the campaign with a brace in the Magpies' comprehensive Carabao Cup victory at Morecambe in September.
Heskey admits he sympathises with Joelinton's plight so far at United, and believes he is in desperate need of the confidence boost a top-flight goal would bring.
However, the former Liverpool and Leicester City striker believes the record signing has not been helped by the supply from the likes of Almiron and Saint-Maximin to date.
Highlighting his aerial capabilites, Heskey namechecked Foxes winger Marc Albrighton as the type of team-mate Joelinton could "thrive" alongside.
The former England striker told HITC: “I think Joelinton needs a goal that goes in off his backside, just to get him to relax and get him to breathe with a bit more confidence. We’ve seen throughout his career that he’s able to score goals.
“The thing is, with Almiron and Saint-Maximin, I don’t think they’re particularly the wingers that Joelinton would like.
“Joelinton would thrive with someone like Marc Albrighton, who only wants to have a touch and cross it whereas Almiron just wants to dribble and take someone on.
“He’s got to be comfortable enough to make those runs and knowing he’s not going to be offside, knowing the players are going to cross the ball.
"One thing you struggle with as a forward is when you’ve got a winger who is jinking, jinking, jinking – when do you make your run?”
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