Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has said that striker Dwight Gayle’s hamstring injury is not as bad as initially feared. The latest update is a huge boost for the table toppers as Gayle has been their top scorer this season and has scored 20 league goals.
The 26-year-old limped off in Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa last weekend and was initially expected to miss a month of football.
However, Benitez, in his press conference, revealed that the striker could be back in his first-team by next week.
Rafa Benitez on Dwight Gayle: 'He's doing really well. It's a question of confidence.' #nufc
— Miles Starforth (@milesstarforth) February 24, 2017
Asked if Dwight Gayle could face Brighton next week, Rafa Benitez said: 'We will have to see.' #nufc #bhafc
— Miles Starforth (@milesstarforth) February 24, 2017
The Spaniard manager went to explain the status of his injured star in detail: “We don’t have a timescale for Dwight.”
“He is doing really well and we are quite pleased with the situation now.
“But we cannot say how long he will be out for.
“He is not training, but all the tests we have done are quite positive, it is a question of his confidence more than anything.
“I think it will be less than four weeks.”
The Magpies will host relegation-threatened Bristol City at St James’ Park on Saturday. On Tuesday night, Rafa Benitez’s side have an all-important trip to second-placed Brighton for the top of the table clash.
These two games might come too soon for Gayle, but Benitez has full confidence in his backup strikers – Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy.
He said (Shields Gazette): “I said before that Murphy did really well.
“I was very pleased with his commitment and effort, and he scored important goals.
“The same is true of Mitrovic.
“I am pleased with the reaction of both, and this competition is always good for the team.”
