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Yedlin and Gayle close to return

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OPINION

Steve Bruce worked tirelessly in the transfer window to make sure his Newcastle United squad had good depth.

Strengthening in the final third was high on his list with the Magpies adding Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Andy Carroll and finished the window with the defensive reinforcement of Emil Krafth.

The arrival of Krafth, in particular, meant that Bruce had left himself with three right-back’s at the club – with DeAndre Yedlin and Javier Manquillo also still at St James’ Park.

Yedlin himself is part of a group of players that aren’t currently available through injury, with Bruce confirming to the Shields Gazette that the American international and Dwight Gayle are the two in that group that are closest to returning to the first-team fold.

“I think Gayle and Yedlin will be the closest,” he admitted.

“Dwight, I hope, we’re going to see him on the pitch the beginning of next week – and Yedlin.”

The returning duo shouldn’t plan on being on the pitch consistently at Newcastle, with both surely set for roles on the bench this season.

Despite Bruce admitting he is desperate to use Gayle, he is behind Joelinton, Saint-Maximin, and Almiron in the pecking order, and has established himself as a Championship striker in recent years.

The 28-year-old has played one more game in the second-flight compared to the Premier League but has scored 38 goals as well as assisting 12 more, proof he isn’t cut out for the job at Newcastle this season.

Yedlin has become the victim of his own boss wanting too many options in one position. With the American not expected to be out for long, the singing of Krafth seemed strange.

Now that the Swedish international has played his first game for the club, it would seem that he is set to cement himself as a regular starter under Bruce.

Even though both are set to return they shouldn’t plan on being involved under Bruce, who looks to have strengthened their positions whilst they were out, as it does seem like they face an uphill battle to feature as it stands.

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