Newcastle need a goalscorer and have loaned out Aleksandar Mitrovic, but he is not the only prolific option in their ranks.
Newcastle United may be seemingly pulling clear of the relegation zone, but the lack of a goalscorer remains on the agenda at St James’ Park.
Islam Slimani is still yet to pull on a black and white shirt, with Dwight Gayle the club’s top marksman on five goals. Meanwhile, Aleksandar Mitrovic has seven in his last five for Fulham.
But the Serbian is not the only Newcastle loanee banging in the goals in the Football League, and Adam Armstrong is perhaps more likely to be given another opportunity at St James’ Park.
Armstrong has rediscovered his scoring touch – also netting seven times at Blackburn Rovers – meaning Newcastle may soon have a big decision to make on his future.
The Geordie striker is an obvious talent who has starred regularly for England at youth level, while making 21 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions between a series of loan spells.
The worry for Newcastle is that he has yet to cut it at Premier League level and, for all of his League One goals, struggled a little in the Championship, too.
However, Armstrong is still just 21 and, often deployed out wide, he has shown a discipline and work rate that is not always there for Mitrovic.
The Blackburn forward may be a late bloomer at the top level and Benitez is more likely to give him the opportunity to prove that if he continues to get his head down and work hard.
For all of Mitrovic’s talent and clear goalscoring prowess, it is his attitude that appears to let him down on occasion.
Armstrong does not have that problem and could yet develop into a top front man like his fellow loanee, meaning that his lack of top-flight experience is immaterial.
A lack of Premier League goals certainly has not hindered Joselu’s chances on Tyneside..
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