Newcastle will come up against a team similar to themselves on Saturday and Steve Bruce should look to fight fire with fire by deploying Andy Carroll to wreak havoc.

The 30-year-old has started just once this season but that was in the very impressive win against Sheffield United, and he showed in that game and against Southampton a few days later that he can have an influential role for his side.

He got two assists from the two games, thanks to his aerial ability as well as some astute technical play, sending a cross to the back post for Jonjo Shelvey to head in against the Saints.

It is his dominance in the air which should prove effective once more this weekend, as Newcastle need someone to challenge a strong Burnley defence and make the ball stick up-front.

As per WhoScored, he has won 4.2 aerial duels won per game, which puts him narrowly behind Burnley's James Tarkowski, who has won 4.9 by comparison.

However, Carroll's lack of minutes in most of his appearances this season are an important factor to consider, as it means he has achieved a higher rate than the Clarets defender, and should, therefore, prove a handful.

He is still yet to score since returning to the north-east but with Newcastle improving in the goalscoring department of late, particularly from set-pieces with seven goals in total via that method this term, Carroll may not have to wait much longer for that elusive goal.

Even if he is unable to break his duck he is probably still the more reliable choice for Bruce to play up-front than Joelinton.

Fans are growing increasingly impatient with the Brazilian and would probably prefer it if he didn't take to the field on Saturday, as he offers very little in terms of goal threat, or teamwork - achieving just 60% pass accuracy against the Saints.

While Carroll doesn't exactly excel in terms of passing, his ability to win flick-ons and create space for teammates by drawing in opposition players makes him a valuable player to have, and that should cause Burnley problems.

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Tarkowski has managed a fairly good return of 1.7 tackles per game this campaign, as per WhoScored, but Carroll uses his strength and ball control brilliantly, so he should fare well against him.

He has lost the ball, on average, just 0.6 times per game in the Premier League, and if he can hold onto the ball and allow his wingers to gain possession in attacking areas then the Magpies could earn their third consecutive win.

Carroll isn't the only player who could be recalled to the side however, as injuries to two important players means Bruce has some decisions to make.