Eddie Howe makes brilliant Joelinton wish quip but Newcastle star's role may change vs Liverpool

Eddie Howe has quipped that he wishes he had more players like the versatile Joelinton as the Newcastle United head coach stays 'open-minded' on the Brazilian's position after he scored two goals in the 3-0 win against Norwich City.

Joelinton has been reborn as a combative, box-to-box midfielder under Howe in recent months after initially being used as an attacking midfielder by the Newcastle head coach. However, the club's record signing started Saturday's game at Carrow Road up front for the first time since Howe was appointed after Chris Wood was rested.

Joelinton did not get much change from Norwich's defenders in the opening half-hour so Howe made an in-game tactical switch and moved the 25-year-old out wide to the left wing and instead played Allan Saint-Maximin through the middle. That intervention quickly paid dividends and it was Joelinton who opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a powerful finish before the elusive Brazilian doubled his side's advantage just before the break after getting on the end of Jacob Murphy's cross.

There was a time, in a previous era, where Joelinton was heavily criticised for not getting in the box enough as the number nine shirt weighed heavy on his shoulders, but the record signing looks a different player regardless of what job he is given these days. Perhaps, it would be a surprise if Joelinton did not return to his deeper-lying midfield role against Liverpool on Saturday, but it is easy to see why Howe has never wanted to pigeonhole the 25-year-old.

"I'm very open-minded," Howe told reporters. "I think Joe can play anywhere in those front positions and, obviously, as an attacking midfielder as well.

"I would never say that's his position and where he's going to stay.