Steve Bruce admits he toyed with the idea of naming new loan signing Joe Willock a place on the bench against Southampton.
However, the Toon boss instead asked Willock to hit the ground running before the 21-year-old duly obliged with a well-taken strike against the Saints.
After a pulverising week in terms of injuries Bruce spoke of the positive impact of the Arsenal star.
Bruce said: "We're delighted. When a new signing walks through the door you wonder whether to put them on the bench or not.
"Then we said: 'We've brought the kid into play, so let him play.'
"To score after 15 minutes he will remember his debut, it's the quickest by any debutant so great for him."
Bruce must now decide who plays alongside Willock at Stamford Bridge on Monday night with Jeff Hendrick banned.
He said: "You can see he brings something different and is a little bit of a threat and able to score a goal.
"He's got the ability to get up and down the pitch which is great."
