According to a report on the Daily Star, Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce is planning to drop Joelinton for Dwight Gayle for the clash with Crystal Palace.
The two sides will meet in the Premier League at Selhurst Park this weekend after their respective winter breaks.
The Magpies recruited Joelinton for £40m last summer, but the attacker has failed to match expectations so far this season.
However, dropping him could work out to be better for Palace. Why?
Because the striker is a nuisance in the air.
As reported on the official Premier League website, the Brazilian has won the second-most aerial battles in the top-flight this season.
Therefore, dropping him could hand the Eagles an advantage in the air, especially because Bruce’s side love scoring from set-pieces.
They have scored from 12 set-pieces already this season, which is the joint-highest in the league at the moment (WhoScored), so being without Joelinton’s aerial threat could be a boost for Roy Hodgson’s side.
Furthermore, Gayle hasn’t even been in Newcastle’s matchday squad for their last four league encounters and has only made two league starts this season, meaning he could be slightly rusty, which may help the Palace defenders against him.
The former Palace man has also not even had a single shot on target in the league this season, which could mean his confidence is low, potentially handing Palace another advantage.
