Some concerning news on the injury front this morning, with it being revealed that Dwight Gayle was withdrawn in the closing stages against Bournemouth after complaining about ‘tightness’ in his hamstring – an problem that has regularly hampered the NUFC striker over the past few years
Hopefully this is just was precautionary and nothing that will keep him out for any length of time, however it is a real worry for Benitez when you look at his previous hamstring troubles and our lack of options up front.
Not only has he been much improved in the last two games, ending his 11-game goalless streak with two on Saturday, Islam Slimani is set for another two weeks on the sidelines, meaning Rafa could be left with Joselu as his only out and out fit striker.
Dwight Gayle will be assessed following his withdrawal at The Vitality on Saturday after complaining of muscular tightness [hamstring]. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/MHrH35guCU
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) February 26, 2018
Gayle has been involved in all three of our goals in the last two games, laying on a clever assist for Ritchie’s winner against Man Utd and scoring two in a man of the match display against Bournemouth over the weekend.
He’ll have taken real confidence from this, something that strikers live and die by, however any potential injury could really set him back – just when he could’ve been coming into some much needed form.
Let’s hope it’s nothing that will keep him out for any length of time or hamper his form in the side – especially when he’s the sort of player who seems to hold back when he has a potential niggle on his mind (see the back end of last season).
Fingers crossed folks.
