Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has insisted that the Magpies will do everything they can to ensure that Dwight Gayle extends his stay at St James’ Park by signing a new deal.
Gayle has endured an injury-hit start to the campaign, with the striker missing the first few months of the season because of a knee injury. However, the 30-year-old has now returned to the squad and he made an instant impact by netting the winner against West Brom last weekend to show that his predatory instincts can still be invaluable for Bruce’s side.
The striker is heading into the final few months of his £40,000-a-week deal at Newcastle, who are reportedly bracing themselves for January offers for the player. There have also been several loan enquires made as to his availability during Bruce’s time in charge, all of which have been turned down, which shows that he remains a key part of the manager’s plans, as per The Northern Echo.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, Bruce confirmed that the Magpies are indeed trying to secure a new contract for Gayle, and he insisted that they will do all they can to come up with the right sort of terms that will make the 30-year-old want to commit his long-term future to the club.
The manager said: “I’d certainly do everything we can to get him tied up. He’s been struggling with an injury, but I think we’ll do our best and hope that he can stay.”
Read Newcastle verdict
Gayle has offered a real reminder to the Magpies of his importance in the last few days and it is vital that he remains at St James’ Park given the difficulty they would have in finding a suitable replacement. Newcastle have struggled to score goals this season, so to have someone like the 30-year-old in their ranks is crucial to that end.
That Bruce has constantly resisted attempts from other clubs to sign Gayle on loan shows how much he rates the striker and wants him as part of his squad. However, the 30-year-old will likely be hoping for more starts and might be swayed by another club offering him more regular game-time.
However, given the impact he has just made for Newcastle since returning, he should be careful not to damage that momentum in the second half of the season by not committing his future, as it could well become a distraction if a move elsewhere is on his mind.
