Alan Shearer spots Newcastle United change that has 'worked perfectly'

Newcastle United have finally found the right balance in midfield - and it's making all the difference, says former Magpies goal hero Alan Shearer.

Unlike last season, when Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley were forced to play for long spells without a break due to injuries and suspensions, United head coach Eddie Howe now has plenty of options available to him in his engine room.

Joelinton and Joe Willock have put last term's injury problems behind them, while Sandro Tonali returned from his 10-month ban at the end of August. It has meant some tinkering in the midfield department, with Tonali dislodging Longstaff earlier this season.

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However, Howe took the brave step of switching Joelinton to a left-side attacking role, bringing in Willock and Longstaff for the Carabao Cup win over Chelsea at the end of October, a change which brought instant results.

Tonali has missed out on a starting place in the last two Premier League games, with Bruno in his usual central position, but the Italian has twice come off the bench to influence the game, helping to set up the second and third goals in Sunday's 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Shearer has been impressed with United's recent resurgence, and feels much of it is down to getting the make-up of the midfield right.

He old the Rest is Football: “He has found the balance in midfield and that has been the big difference - that’s where the change has been.

"Joe Willock has come in to the left of the three in midfield, Bruno in the middle and Longstaff just to the right of them, and then Joelinton either left side up front or right side. He played both sides again today (against Forest) which allows Anthony Gordon to play left or right. And I think that balance has worked perfectly. That has been the big difference.”

Howe may have to switch his midfield options in the near future, with Joelinton and Longstaff currently on four yellow cards, with a one-match ban for collecting five.