Monday 27 February 2017 16:30, UK
Dwight Gayle will not return from injury in time for Newcastle's top-of-the-table clash against Brighton on Tuesday, manager Rafa Benitez has confirmed.
Gayle suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury that kept him on the sidelines for over a month on his return to the starting line up in last Monday's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Benitez had hoped to have Gayle back for the trip to the Amex Stadium - live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm - after tests revealed the 26-year-old had sustained no serious damage.
However, the Newcastle boss revealed on Monday that the match had come too soon for his 20-goal striker.
"[He is] still improving, but not ready. I said before that he has to make sure he is ready mentally," he said.
"He is improving, but he is not ready for this game."
Newcastle come into the match against fellow promotion hopefuls Brighton just a point behind Chris Hughton's side at the top of the Sky Bet Championship.
The Magpies have impressed on the road this season and currently boast the Championship's best away record, having won 11 times.
A 12th victory away from St James' Park would see Newcastle leapfrog the Seagulls into top spot and Benitez has urged his side to attack on the south-coast.
"Our away record means that we can go and play against anyone trying to win," Benitez said.
"In football, you never know, but we will try to win. It is important to have the belief that we can do it - because we have done it during the whole season.
"We know that we made some mistakes (in the 2-2 draw with Bristol City on Saturday), but because the reaction was so good, you have to think about the positives.
"We have to try and play in the same way that we did in the second half - with the same determination, with the same attacking football, trying to create chances."
