ALAN SHEARER thinks Harvey Barnes’ match-winning second-half display at Wolves has given Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe a difficult decision to make ahead of this weekend’s game at Fulham.

Barnes turned the game when he came off the bench at the start of the second half at Molineux, with his superb 80th-minute strike sealing Newcastle’s 2-1 win at lifting them to third position in the Premier League table.

The former Leicester winger had only been named as a substitute despite having impressed in the Magpies’ previous game against Tottenham, but seized his chance with both hands when he was introduced as a half-time replacement for Alexander Isak.

As a result, Howe faces a selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s trip to Craven Cottage, which will see Newcastle go top of the table if they can take all three points.

Speaking in his role as a Betfair ambassador, Shearer said: “Newcastle won yet again thanks to a superb strike from Harvey Barnes. There has never been a doubt of the talent there, and if Barnes can stay clear of injuries, then I'm pretty sure Eddie Howe would look to shift (Anthony) Gordon to the right and play Barnes on the left, with Isak down the middle.

“You've even got Joe Willock who can play on the left as well because he adds a different dimension. It's great for Eddie Howe to have those options.

“Harvey Barnes' goal was unbelievable. It opened up really, really nicely, inviting him to attack the space and curl it in with his right foot. The bend he put on it meant the goalkeeper had no chance.

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“He just needs to stay fit and what that then does is say to the manager, ‘You’ve got a decision to make’.”

Howe made three changes at the break at Molineux, bringing on Barnes, Sandro Tonali and Willock for Isak, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton.

All three replacements made a positive impact on the game, and Shearer was impressed with Howe’s decisiveness after his side fell behind towards the end of the first half.

He said: “Newcastle did well in the opening 20 minutes against Wolves, but the manager didn't like what he saw in the rest of the first half, and he made three changes at half-time.

“When you make those changes, you're doing it because you want them to come in and effect the game, and that's exactly what the substitutes did, so credit to Eddie for that.

“Eddie asked him (Barnes) to come on and change the game, and Harvey did exactly that, so when this weekend's team sheet goes in, you'd hope that, if he’s not on it, he's got every right to go and bang on the manager's door.”