Andy Carroll’s latest injury has opened the door to Newcastle’s first team for Dwight Gayle, leaving the previously forgotten striker possibly set to start Sunday’s home match against Wolves.
Gayle had been unavailable to Steve Bruce because of a calf injury until his comeback as a late substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea last Saturday. With Carroll sustaining a groin strain, he is now the player putting most pressure on Newcastle’s £40m centre-forward Joelinton, who is struggling to adapt to English football.
Although there are doubts about combining Gayle and Joelinton in the 3-4-3 system that Bruce is reluctant to change, it is not impossible that the former could operate through the middle and the Brazilian in the left-side role he filled at Hoffenheim last season.
Perhaps significantly, Bruce tried to sign Gayle three times at previous clubs and it appears a prolific Championship-level finisher whom Rafael Benítez twice came close to offloading will have another chance to prove he can make an impact on the top-tier scoring charts.
“If you’re a goalscorer, you’re a goalscorer,” said Newcastle’s manager. “We know the Premier League is a step up but Dwight was electric for West Brom last season [on loan in the Championship]. He was easily the best striker in the division. In training, he finishes naturally. So, if you do create the opportunities, then I’m sure he’ll take them.”
Not that Bruce is giving up on Joelinton. “I don’t think he needs a rest just yet – he just needs time,” he said. “Nicolas Pépé scored two for Arsenal this week and you’ll see a different player from now on. It takes time to adjust to the Premier League, it doesn’t matter how big the price tag is.
“We have no doubt Joelinton’s a very good player and we can improve him, he’ll only get better. In Germany he played a lot in a front three, to the left, so we have that in our locker as well.
“I’m a bit reluctant to change the system but Joelinton and Dwight playing together is something we’re looking at because we need more goals. Gayle was an out-and-out No 9 for West Brom last season so we can look at the option of playing Joelinton on the left.”
Bruce trusts it will not be long before Carroll is also pressing for his first start. “Andy overstretched trying to reach a ball and hurt his groin,” he said. “But the good thing is that his ankle’s OK; we hope he’ll be fit for next week.”
