OPINION
Newcastle United forward Dwight Gayle set the Championship alight last season when on-loan at West Brom.
The 28-year-old ended up playing 41 times for the Baggies in that campaign and scored 24 goals as he guided them to the play-off semi-finals.
Steve Bruce replaced Rafael Benitez in the summer and looked to give the forward a chance to stake his claim at the club after being shipped out temporarily.
Chronicle journalist Mark Douglas previously claimed that Bruce was “desperate” to utilise the Magpies’ man, as the forward looks to return to full fitness after a muscle problem.
Gayle is yet to make the bench for Newcastle so far this season, as he struggles to get over the injury despite travelling to Barcelona to see a specialist [Chronicle].
Despite his lack of action, the Shields Gazette have reported that West Brom are interested in bringing in another striker in the January transfer window and that Gayle remains on their shortlist.
We think Bruce should snap their hands off.
Over the previous few years in his career, Gayle has proved that he is a Championship-level forward, and has consistently struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.
In 100 appearances in the second-tier, Gayle has scored a hugely impressive 59 goals – a ratio of more than one goal every two games. Compare that to his record in the top-flight, where he has played one less game but has managed only 21 goals – a much inferior record of one goal in nearly every five games.
Bruce has plenty of time to give Gayle a run between now and January. If he flops again and West Brom make a move in January, Bruce should take the money and hope Mike Ashley lets him re-invest in a new player.
