Steve Bruce has heaped praise on Joelinton for rising above external criticism this season - and insists he will be "OK" despite a baptism of fire in English football.
At times, Joelinton's £40million price tag has weighed heavily on his shoulders and a return of just one Premier League goal this season has left him open to negativity.
Bruce rested Joelinton for the second time this season at Southampton at the weekend, but insists he may have taken him out of the firing line earlier if he'd been given the chance.
When asked about the Brazilian striker, Bruce told the Chronicle: "There's been a lot on Joelinton, but we haven't had the ability to change.
"We haven't been able to give him a break because of the problems we've had. He's never squirmed away from it and he's always trained well.
"It has been a big learning curve for him. But that is always the challenge when you bring in an overseas player."
Bruce also feels that Joelinton will be stronger for the experience of this season and will come back stronger next summer regardless of what happens in the remainder of this term.
He said: "When you have a player who is not used to the Premier League or used to be being in Newcastle. It takes time - and he's only young.
"I am sure he will be OK."
