Steve Bruce says he will “box clever” with Andy Carroll as he consider his striking options for Old Trafford.
The Newcastle boss deployed a front two on Saturday against Palace with Carroll partnered by Joelinton, the club’s record signing who – Bruce admits – is “low on confidence”.
There are other options available to Bruce, with Dwight Gayle or Yoshinori Muto other possibilities. But the Newcastle boss believes that Carroll will want to play, even if he knows the club continue to ‘manage’ his fitness issues.
With matches on December 28 and January 1 - and an FA Cup game at Rochdale shortly afterwards - this is a frantic period for the Magpies.
“I’ve got to try and box clever. We’ll see how Andy is this morning,” he said.
“He wants to play every week but I’ll have a conversation with him. It would be unrealistic to think he could play two games in 48 hours but knowing how he is, he’ll want to. We’ll see how he is watch this space.”
Carroll has emerged as a talisman for the Magpies in recent weeks and Bruce is delighted with the way he has embraced his role as crowd favourite and leading light.
“His impact has been huge. I said a couple of months ago that once he starts training he’ll give a lift to everyone,” he said.
“He’s not young Andy Carroll anymore, people are looking to him as an example. He has that real enthusiasm like any Geordie has. Let’s hope he stays because he’s a local hero. The more he plays, the more mobile he is and the better he’ll get.
“He epitomises what it means to play for Newcastle. He’ll not shirk anything and he leads from the front. If he stays well, and thankfully with the training regime we’ve got he looks good, he’ll be great for us.”
Newcastle celebrated Miguel Almiron breaking his duck on Saturday but concerns remain over the form of Brazilian summer signing Joelinton.
Bruce says Almiron’s experience should serve as motivation to the United number nine.
He said: “I hope so. He’s come as a big signing and with the Newcastle number nine shirt and this, that and the other and at the minute he’s a little bit short on confidence but you just have to stay with it and he has to stay with it.
“We know there’s a good player in there. It’s taken him a little bit of time but I’m convinced he’ll be OK.”
Newcastle have a major injury doubt over Paul Dummett, who came off through injury on Saturday.
