Newcastle striker Yoshinori Muto is miles away from justifying price tag

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Rafael Benitez managed to sign Yoshinori Muto in the summer for Newcastle and fans were expectant when he arrived at St James’ Park for £9.5million (BBC).

But the 26-year-old has had a slow start and is miles away from justifying that price tag as it stands.

The centre-forward has made just 13 senior appearances for the Magpies and managed one goal in return.

Newcastle need a decent goal output from a player valued at nearly £10million and as it stands he looks like money down the drain.

Muto is now back in first-team contention for the North East club after participating in the Asian Cup with his nation Japan and he needs a strong finish to the season.

Muto has looked like a busy striker with plenty of energy when he’s featured in a Newcastle shirt so far, but his end product has been an issue and he looks nowhere near as effective as Salomon Rondon.

The Japan international should offer a contrast in style with Rondon and be a quick outlet in behind defenders to try stretch them.

He is a striker that managed 23 goals in 72 games during his spell with German club Mainz and desperately needs to discover some form in English football.

Newcastle have a favourable run of fixtures when they need points to pull away from relegation trouble and it’s up to the forwards to dig them out of trouble, which is why Muto has to start repaying the faith Benitez showed with his signing.