Bruce confirms injury setback for NUFC striker - Player now set to see new specialist
Steve Bruce has confirmed that Dwight Gayle has suffered a new injury setback, claiming he 'felt his calf again' after stepping up his recovery in the gym.
Gayle enjoyed another prolific year in the second tier last season, bagging 24 goals in 40 games for West Brom, however he's not kicked a ball for Newcastle United since returning in May.
He missed our entire pre-season programme with a calf injury and, two months later, it looks like he's no closer to returning and will see a new specialist as a result.
Here's what Bruce has had to say about the striker's fitness:
“It’s just unfortunately when we think Dwight’s getting better he feels it [calf injury] again,”
“He was in the gym the other day doing some strength work and he felt it again.
“We hope for another opinion. Since I’ve walked through the door, I‘ve seen Dwight in China on the last day of training and I haven’t seen him since.
"Let’s hope we can get him fit."
For now we have Joelinton leading the line and that doesn't look likely to change anytime soon, but having the likes of Gayle and Carroll fit would at least give us a plan B from the bench - but Bruce hasn't had that.
We all know about Andy Carroll's injury record, but Gayle himself is starting to really struggle when it comes to shaking off muscle problems, with him having a similar problem with his hamstring in 2017.
It must be such a frustrating time for the striker, mind. Not only has he come off the back of another good season in the Championship, he'll have been desperate to prove himself to new boss Steve Bruce - yet he's not been off the injury table since he arrived.
Let's hope both he and Andy Carroll can make some progress on the injury front over the international break, with Muto currently our only option behind Joelinton up top.
