Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali could not inspire the Magpies after coming off the bench at Brentford after being sent on when his side were trailing.

Tonali didn't start against the Bees as he has been struggling with cramp sustained in the 3-3 draw with Liverpool. The ex-AC Milan midfielder had just 24 touches with his game summed up when heading over from close range late on.

The truth is Newcastle are never going to get the best out of the £55million man unless he's in from the start and playing alongside Bruno Guimaraes. It had worked a treat against Liverpool but Newcastle reverted to type at Brentford as they surrendered three points.

READ MORE: Alexander Isak has got everything - so why do nagging doubts persist about Newcastle United role?

READ MORE: Marc Guehi drops hint as Newcastle United transfer target reveals personal ambitions

In his post-game Press conference, Eddie Howe insisted he was continuously trying "tweak" and made the point that he isn't just copying and pasting tactics game by game. Against Leicester City on Saturday, Howe will hope that Tonali has shaken off the effects of his problems this week.

Bruno, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton now seem the best bet in a midfield three. Ahead of them, Anthony Gordon, benched at Brentford due to fatigue, needs a run on his preferred left hand side and Jacob Murphy, who got two assists against the Bees should go to the right with Alexander Isak through the middle.

Defensively, Howe has a decision to make on Fabian Schar after a poor performance but will it be enough to hand Lloyd Kelly an opportunity? Sven Botman's return can't come quick enough but it won't be soon meaning Howe has to persevere with what he's got.

And then there's Kieran Trippier who came on with seven minutes to go. Was a right-back going to help turn things around with a few minutes to go?

Trippier has watched on as the captaincy was taken off him and his place in the team went to Tino Livramento. If Howe wants organisation and more threat from set-plays he may be tempted to start the ex-England defender.

Howe says his selection choices are not being made just on merit at the minute, he stated the team have an issue with fitness. The head coach said: "Midfield was an area where we were not as strong in the second half. I thought we had tired bodies and I could not change anybody. The Liverpool game took a lot out of our players.

"I would have probably liked to rotated a little bit more. Due to loads of different reasons I wasn't able to do that due to the fitness of some of the players on the bench they are still not up to the condition needed to play in a Premier League game."