Steve Bruce confirmed in his press conference after our 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa that Yoshinori Muto is behind the current front three, Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll in the pecking order.
This is not a good sign for the Japanese international, and it could indicate that Muto will be leaving the club either in January or next summer.
Bruce said that Muto just needs to keep working hard and hope for his chance, but it sounds like the manager has seen enough of him and does not rate the 27-year-old.
Muto, who earns £54,000 per week, was bought by Rafa Benitez last season for around £9.5m, but injury and international call-ups disrupted his first season on Tyneside.
He managed to score one Premier League goal in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, and this season in six appearances, he has scored one goal in the EFL Cup.
However, since he started the dreadful 5-0 defeat to Leicester City, Muto has disappeared, and it seems that his unfortunate spell with the Toon will be coming to an end sooner rather than later.
Would you give Muto another chance?
Yes, why not we need to find a way to score goals
No, seen enough of him now
Bruce currently sees him as our fourth-choice striker, and I can’t imagine he will be too happy with this – so do not be surprised to see Muto depart the club within the next year.
Another player who could have been good but unfortunately for various reasons has not delivered on his potential.