Steve Bruce to turn to 'electric' Dwight Gayle for Newcastle vs Wolves?
Watch Newcastle vs Wolves on Super Sunday from 1pm on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 2pm. Match highlights available shortly after full-time on the Sky Sports website and app
Friday 25 October 2019 23:15, UK
Steve Bruce could be ready to turn to a man Newcastle tried to sell this summer as he looks solve his team's goal-shyness.
Dwight Gayle, who scored 24 goals on loan at Sky Bet Championship West Brom last season, made his first appearance of the new campaign as a late substitute at Chelsea last weekend after finally overcoming a niggling calf problem.
But with the Magpies having managed only five goals in their nine Premier League fixtures to date despite spending a total of around £77m on Miguel Almiron, Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin since January, Gayle could have a role to play in Sunday's home clash with Wolves on Super Sunday.
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He managed only six goals in 35 top-flight appearances for the club during the 2017-18 season having plundered 23 during their promotion campaign, but Bruce is convinced he can be a threat.
"I always believe that if you're a goalscorer, you're a goalscorer," Bruce said. "Yes, we know that the Premier League is a step up, but I saw him play twice for West Brom last season and he was electric. He was easily the best striker in the division.
"When you see him in training, he finishes naturally, so if you do create the opportunities, then I'm sure he will take them.
"But every goalscorer needs a bit of service, and that's the difficult part of the game. We have to try to get that."
Joelinton's £40m arrival from Hoffenheim this summer looked to have paved the way for Gayle's exit as a series of Championship sides, including the Baggies, Leeds and Stoke, as well as promoted Norwich, were linked with him.
However, no deal was ever struck and now the two are vying for a place in Bruce's starting line-up.
The Brazilian, who turned 23 in August, has found the going tough so far with only one goal - a priceless winner at Tottenham - to his name, but his boss is confident there is much more to come from him.
Asked if Joelinton needed to be taken out of the firing line, the head coach said: "I don't think he needs a rest just yet, he just needs time.
"We can still improve him. He's only just turned 23. We knew there would be improvement and he can only get better."
How to watch
Newcastle vs Wolves is live on Super Sunday from 1pm; kick-off 2pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
