Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has suggested that Dwight Gayle could potentially be able to return from injury for the Magpies in around two to four weeks.
Gayle has missed the start of the season after picking up a knee injury during Newcastle’s pre-season friendly against League One Crewe Alexandra, with that injury requiring the 30-year-old to undergo surgery back in September as Bruce confirmed he would be out for around three or four months, per Football Insider.
It has been reported that Gayle was recovering ahead of schedule and was on track to return to action for the Magpies during the hectic festive period, per Football Insider. Newcastle are also considering offering the 30-year-old an extension to his £40,000-a-week contract which expires in the summer, as reported by Football Insider.
The Magpies have got off to a strong start to the campaign and have picked up more points at the start of the season than in any of their previous three campaigns. However, Bruce’s side have lacked firepower beyond the in-form Callum Wilson, with the Magpies having had the joint-fourth lowest number of attempts on goal so far this term (premierleague.com).
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Newcastle’s meeting with Southampton (via Matthew Raisbeck on Twitter), Bruce revealed that Gayle is on track to return to action in around two to four weeks’ time.
"He's worked extremely hard to be there or thereabouts. We hope in the next two, three, four weeks… to have Dwight back will give us something else."
Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce tells @bbcnewcastle Dwight Gayle's recovery from a knee injury is going well #NUFC pic.twitter.com/ceIpj9nIJH
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) November 5, 2020
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Gayle’s potential return to action over the next few weeks would be a major boost for the Magpies, with pressure mounting on Wilson to keep scoring at his current rate of 0.9 goals per game (Sofascore) to help Newcastle maintain their recent good form.
Newcastle lack another natural finisher to relieve the burden on the 28-year-old in the invent of an injury. However, Gayle provides that threat and the ex-Crystal Palace man has shown in the past that he can score goals for the Magpies when given regular game-time. He netted four goals and provided two assists in just 20 appearances in the league last term (Sofascore).
The 30-year-old was once described as a ‘crucial’ player by Bruce and he now has a point to prove to remind everyone of his ability, with his contract expiring at the end of the season. If he wants another deal with Newcastle, or to impress potential suitors, he must start to show some form when he returns from injury.
