United still yet to field strongest XI

STEVE Bruce does not believe he has played his strongest Newcastle United team yet.

The Magpies signed Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser, Jamal Lewis and Jeff Hendrick last summer but the quartet has only started one game together so far and that was against Wolves last month.

However, with Jonjo Shelvey absent and Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff unable to start, Fraser played in a deeper role at Molineux alongside Miguel Almiron and Hendrick.

Former Bournemouth man Fraser has yet to start a league game in his favoured role out wide and, having missed the last two fixtures with a hamstring issue, the Scotland international will not feature against Crystal Palace tonight.

Captain Jamaal Lascelles is also a doubt for the trip to Selhurst Park after picking up a knock against Chelsea last time out, while Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll also have injury issues.

However, Callum Wilson, Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie are all be back in contention.

Brcue said: “I have not played the team I think is my strongest team yet for whatever reason, whatever injury.

“We have not had Jonjo, we have not had Ryan, we have not had Callum, we have not had Miggy.

“That is a bit unfortunate but we are only nine games in and when we changed it against Wolves it gave us a platform and we did the same against Everton and managed to beat them with that system too.”