Steve Bruce has made the astonishing admission that Newcastle United have paid £40million for a striker who is not overly interested in scoring goals.

Joelinton was a club-record buy from Hoffenheim in the summer but his only Premier League goal came in August.

The Brazilian has now gone 23 top-flight games without netting and is coming in for fierce criticism from supporters and observers, with Bruce concerned he has become the 'whipping boy'.

Brazilian Joelinton has now gone 23 games without netting and is coming in for fierce criticism

Steve Bruce hinted that he may take Joelinton out of the team for Saturday's trip to Palace

Joelinton 19/20 stats PL apps: 26 Goals: 1 Assists: 2 Advertisement

The deal for Joelinton was already some way down the line when Bruce arrived in July, although the head coach insists he signed off on it.

However, his honest appraisal of the 23-year-old is sure to be a source of concern among fans, who are mystified as to why the club invested so much in a No.9 who, according to Bruce, is 'not a natural goalscorer'.

'The great strikers, the goalscorers, all they're interested in is scoring a goal - Joe is not like that,' said Bruce.

'He certainly hasn't got that mentality. He is more a team player. He has to be a bit more selfish. He doesn't get himself in the positions enough, that's something we're working on.

'The only thing we can do is keep encouraging the lad. He might not be a natural goalscorer, but we know there is talent there.

'He has to live with the criticism because he becomes the whipping boy unfortunately.'

So did Newcastle know what they were signing?

The head coach still backs the Joelinton to come good, but he says he is not a natural scorer

'I'm sure, with the homework they put in, they were aware that (his goalscoring) needs to improve,' said Bruce, who could start Dwight Gayle ahead of Joelinton at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

'I'm sure everyone looks at records before you write a big cheque. We were hoping he could get 10 to 12 goals this season.'

Bruce, though, has hinted that he would prefer to try Joelinton in a wide position.

'Because of the problems we've had (with injuries) then we've had to use him as a No.9,' said Bruce, before being reminded that the player literally wears the No.9 jersey.

'There's no-one else who could be a No.9. We put him to the side once and I think it suits him.'