Newcastle United’s decision to spend £10 million on Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle to spearhead their charge back to the Premier League is something that initially looked to be paying dividends.
Gayle was blowing teams aside with his power and precision. He was soon marked out to be one of the Sky Bet Championship’s most feared strikers and game-after-game his goal tally continued to rise to his current 20-goal leading scorer status.
However, he has seen time missing from the side this season already due to a hamstring injury, missing four games between January 21 and his return against Norwich City on February 14. The free-scoring forward suffered a reoccurrence of his hamstring in the Magpies’ 2-0 victory over Aston Villa this week, being withdrawn from the game early, and there are real fears that he may not be available until April 1.
Boss Benitez has admitted to the Chronicle Live that Gayle “will miss some games,” but in the longer term, “hopefully it [the injury] will not be serious,” meaning that the number of games missed can be minimised.
Speaking of the specifics of the injury, Benitez would not be drawn into detail saying only: “It is more or less the same problem,” before adding a precautionary, “we will see.”
Newcastle United fans, as you’d expect, have reacted to this news and have taken to Twitter to air their views. Before reading what they think though, what are your thoughts on whether Newcastle United will miss Dwight Gayle?
Gayle blown out with hamstring tweak – Toon fans respond on Twitter.
No problems ahead for Twitter user and Newcastle fan Lightning as far as Gayle’s absence is concerned.
Newcastle without Dwight Gayle in the league this season:
7️ wins
1️ draw
0️ defeats#nufc are in safe hands ⚫⚪— Hilmy Lightning Shawwal (@shawwal_96) February 22, 2017
This Toon fan is simply appealing for a sense of perspective and calm.
https://twitter.com/Matts_NUFC/status/834399100607033344
Newcastle fan Ryan is not too sure though, definitely a few nerves jangling with him.
Gayle out for a month, this really will be Aleksandar Mitrovic FC
— Ryan (@Ryan_Rosee) February 22, 2017
Magpies fan Jack is all for getting behind Aleksander Mitrovic as a more than adequate stand-in for Gayle in his absence.
Just seen the Gayle news. Just need full support behind Mitro now, actually think he's played well since Oxford #NUFC
— Jack (@jackm1892) February 22, 2017
More jangling nerves evident here from Newcastle United fan The Ginger Pirlo.
Gayle gonna miss the big away games.
Gutter. Gonna be a struggle now. #nufc
— Ginger Pirlo (@Ginger_Pirlo) February 22, 2017
Toon fan Cola isn’t too worried about the 20-goal striker missing out.
We missed Shelvey badly when he was suspended but I'm not worried at all that Gayle is out for another month. #NUFC
— COLA (@Percycola) February 22, 2017
Nor is Newcastle United fan Dean all that bothered that Gayle is missing.
https://twitter.com/doddsy1991/status/834380579474923520
