OPINION
Steve Bruce is finally getting the opportunity to utilise Newcastle United forward Dwight Gayle.
It is no secret that the Magpies’ boss massively admires the forward, and has tried to sign him during his times managing in the Championship but failed to do so.
Gayle himself is set to get the chance to impress in the top-flight at St James’ Park, after spending last season on loan at West Brom in the Championship.
The 29-year-old is a classic poacher of a forward and can bring constant goals to a side if they create opportunities for him in the box, as he highlighted with his 24 goals for the Baggies last season.
Despite Bruce’s admiration for Gayle, it has been suggested that he might not even be at the club come to the end of the January transfer market this season.
The Chronicle have reported that Gayle himself pulled the plug on a deal which would have seen him leave the club at the beginning of this campaign.
The newspaper went on to suggest that Newcastle are likely to listen to any offers for the 28-year-old in January, with a number of Championship clubs interested.
It has been suggested by the Shields Gazette that Gayle could start Sunday’s game against Wolves, and should he get given the nod, he will need to start finding the back of the net quickly.
With January closing in, Gayle is surely set for a two-month audition at Newcastle, in which he will be expected to make Bruce change his mind about his future.
Newcastle have struggled to find the back of the net, and have yet to score more than once in a single game meaning they have the joint-worse defence in the entire division.
Gayle needs to come in and prove that he can be the man to make a difference in the North East, and his first opportunity could be against Wolves on Sunday.