Steve Bruce can look to unleash Andy Carroll on West Bromwich Albion this Sunday after losing Newcastle United duo Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin to long-term injuries.

Almiron was forced off at half-time during last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers after being left in distress with an issue with his knee, and is now sidelined until April.

Saint-Maximin will also miss the entirety of March with a groin injury, joining top-scorer Callum Wilson in the treatment room as the ex-AFC Bournemouth frontman continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring tear.

Having neither of Saint-Maximin, Almiron or Wilson available to face West Brom will hand Bruce a chance to reset his tactics, in hopes of finding a new solution that can potentially keep Newcastle in the Premier League.

United are currently winless in three games having failed to avoid defeat in each fixture played without Wilson leading the attack, during which Almiron had acted as a false nine from kick-off on each occasion.

Joelinton took over central honours against Wolves once Almiron was forced off, having been tasked with providing the width from the right-wing at St. James’ Park and in the Toon’s prior 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.

The Brazilian’s role was occupied by Dwight Gayle against Chelsea during the Magpies’ first match without 10-goal striker Wilson, but the London-born attacker has only featured for 11 minutes of Premier League action since earning his sole start of the season at Stamford Bridge.

Gayle and Joelinton will be pushing for a start on Sunday in the absence of Almiron, but the additional loss of Saint-Maximin can afford Bruce the chance to reset his tactics and begin the relegation six-pointer using a new system with two starting strikers.

Newcastle have only opened two top-flight fixtures with two centre-forwards in the opening XI this calendar year, when Carroll partnered Wilson in the frontline against both Arsenal and Aston Villa in January.

Carroll has played just 12 minutes since losing 2-0 at Villa Park, while he's been left as an unused substitute on five occasions including in the Magpies’ last two matches. His opening roles against the Villans and Gunners also remain his only starts of 2021 so far.

Bruce can now look to change the picture with a recall for the £75,000-per-week target man, who has been open in his frustrations at being a mere spectator in recent weeks.

“I've been waiting. I'd like to say I can see myself in the starting line-up at the weekend, but it's the gaffer's choice at the end of the day,” the 32-year-old told NUFC TV. “I've been working hard, I'm fit and if it comes, I'm hopefully going to take it and get on the scoresheet and get us a win.”

Carroll has only scored once in all competitions since returning to Newcastle in 2019, coming against Leicester City in January.

He took nine shots in 105 minutes during the Toon’s FA Cup defeat to Arsenal – Wilson averages the most (1.76) per game by a Newcastle player in the Premier League – but also missed two big chances to score.

Bruce would have to see that Carroll’s glaring misses are not repeated if the forward is recalled at West Brom, but a return to a two-strong frontline may be worth considering while he's without the Toon’s main driving forces.

AND in other news, an “absolutely awesome” titan has been tipped to quit Newcastle this summer…