Eddie Howe says 'outstanding' 26-year-old is 'knocking on the door' for regular starting spot

Goals had been hard to come by for Newcastle United at the start of this current season.

Newcastle took a while to find their groove on the pitch and when they did, for some reason, the goals dried up as did the points after playing horrific football for the first few games but somehow grinding out points.

If the last three games are anything to go by, then Newcastle have found the right balance between playing good football and finding the back of the net.

The struggles in front of goal are best evidenced by the fact that tied at the top of the NUFC goal-scoring charts this season are Alexander Isak and winger, Harvey Barnes.

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Eddie Howe is trying to find a way to incorporate Harvey Barnes into the first team more

When you consider that Barnes has been used as a substitute more than a starter, that stat becomes even more telling.

While scoring goals after coming off the bench seems to be a speciality of Barnes, Eddie Howe told Newcastle World he'd prefer not to use the term 'super sub' to describe him.

“I certainly don't see him (Barnes) as a super sub, although he has done really well from the bench for us and has contributed goals and assists. He was really the pivotal player in our comeback against West Ham last year and if he doesn't come on the pitch with the right attitude we don't win that game.

“Certainly, he's more than that and he's capable of more than that. I don't think Harvey would want that tag. He's an outstanding player, who's got a really good goalscoring record and got a goalscoring ability that he's always had in his career.

“So I'd love to find a way to work him into the team on a consistent basis, that will be down to Harvey if he continues to do well. He's certainly knocking on the door to play regularly.”

At £39 million Harvey Barnes is too expensive to be seen as a 'super sub'

It does always seem like Barnes performs better when he comes on late in the game as when he does start, his impact is nowhere near the same level.

Maybe running at tired full-backs suits him more than trying to beat players who are more fresh? If that's the case then that's something he will need to work on if he's to really challenge Anthony Gordon for that starting spot on the left.

I'm a big fan of Barnes and desperately want it to work for him at Newcastle, but at £39 million, he's an expensive super sub and should be making more of a case for himself as a starting player - he has the talent, he just needs to harness it and use it over the course of 90 minutes rather than the last 30 minutes.