Newcastle's lack of goals is a concern

Matthias Jaissle insists he retains faith in Newcastle United's goal-shy strikers but says they must work on their killer instinct to help the side get back on track.

Newcastle's lack of goals from their forwards this season has been a major issue and unless that changes, the stress that puts on his team defensively doesn't feel like a sustainable approach of stemming the current tide of results.

Will Osula and Yoane Wissa only have one goal to their name this term while Matias Fernandez-Pardo is yet to get of the mark, but Jaissle insists he retains faith in his forward options and feels it is just a case of their luck turning in front of goal.

"I think they know it by themselves," Jaissle added. "I don't even need to mention a striker needs to be always aware of every situation. When there's anything just coming in the penalty area or the box, I need to be there as a striker. I need to have that nose, that feeling that something is dropping for a second ball or there is a cross possible that I am there.

"They know it, they work hard on that and they work hard on their finishes. We can be for sure more efficient and hopefully in the future we see that progress."

It took Newcastle until the 85th minute to get a shot on target against Everton on Monday night, with Wissa threatening the goal late on after his arrival as a second-half substitute.

The DR Congo star had a sharp late chance to steal a point but was denied by Jordan Pickford's legs, and still has just the strike against Spurs earlier this season to his name. Osula, meanwhile, was starved of service with too many long balls fired at his head during the first period.

However, whichever of the duo gets the nod to lead the line against Fulham, they know they must start delivering goals, with both men wasting chances in the Carabao Cup tie last week.

Fernandez-Pardo's potential return after illness will give Jaissle another option from the bench. The £51m man has been struggling with a virus but looks set to be back in the squad for the trip to the capital, although the Newcastle boss was playing his cards close to his chest.

"I mentioned in the last press conference he got a really heavy virus and was out for more than two weeks and had a big impact," Jaissle said. "He is training with us again and we need to see against Fulham how he is really in a physical state."

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