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Steve McClaren is facing a big decision ahead of Newcastle United’s trip to Chelsea as he ponders whether to stick or twist with Gini Wijnaldum.

With Newcastle in the bottom four and their away form a huge factor in their perilous Premier League position, McClaren is frantically looking for a solution to cure United’s away day blues.

The Dutch international has proved an excellent signing after arriving from PSV Eindhoven for £14million last summer. But while he has performed well for the Magpies and been one of the best players in a struggling team, he has been unable to turn on the style away from home.

It’s understood that McClaren was close to dropping Wijnaldum after the atrocious 5-1 loss to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park earlier this season.

However, before the clash with Liverpool the Dutch star’s name was on the team sheet for the side that beat Jurgen Klopp’s side 2-0 – with Wijnaldum grabbing both goals.

Whether McClaren will take such a drastic course of action and axe the one-time Feyenoord man remains to be seen.

McClaren, a disciple of Sir Alex Ferguson, spent time at Manchester United when the legendary boss was not afraid to drop stars like Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Teddy Sheringham.

Dropping Wijnaldum would be a huge statement, but perhaps drastic times call for drastic measures.

Sometimes managers need to axe stars in order to coax improved performances from them.

The gamble is whether the player then starts sulking or his absence has an influence on other members of the squad.

Dropping Wijnaldum at Stamford Bridge would allow McClaren to pair Ayoze Perez with Aleksandar Mitrovic in attack. Moussa Sissoko, Jonjo Shelvey, Cheick Tiote and Andros Townsend would be a midfield four to get United fans excited if they can perform like they did in the last game against West Brom.

Wijnaldum was particularly poor against Everton in the last away game.

Playing him just behind Mitrovic at Watford in the Premier League game in January also failed to yield three vital away points,

Wijnaldum goes into the game at Chelsea still searching for his first away goal since joining from PSV with all nine of his strikes so far coming on Tyneside.

Without those nine goals and some sizzling home displays from Wijnaldum, Newcastle would be in serious trouble at the bottom of the Premier League.

That’s why McClaren must be cautious when dealing with Wijnaldum, he knows he will need him during the run-in. Or is this is all just one big coincidence? After all, last season Wijnaldum netted 11 goals away from home and seven at PSV’s Philips Stadion.

McClaren is running out of time to see whether the Dutchman can prove his consistency.

Wijnaldum has started all 25 Premier League games this season and has been substituted three times, the last being in the shocking display against Palace at Selhurst Park.

McClaren will sleep on the decision, no doubt, and he may even hand him another chance at Stamford Bridge.

If he doesn’t shine though, and after the club’s week long stay in La Manga next week, the question of whether Wijnaldum can do it on a cold Wednesday night in Stoke will be on the agenda.

On a night that could be crucial for McClaren and the club in general, patience may have just about run out by then.