Benitez to make decision on Newcastle star fitness on Monday ahead of Norwich clash – report
By Harvey Byrne
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez will make a decision on star striker Dwight Gayle’s fitness after training on Monday, according to a report.
The Sunderland Echo has claimed that the 26-year-old could return for Tuesday’s clash at Carrow Road after being sidelined for just under a month due to a hamstring injury.
It is a key clash for Newcastle as they seek an instant return to the Premier League at the top of the Championship, while Norwich have ambitions of the same, but they sit down in seventh.
A return of their top scorer would be a huge advantage to the Toon, but Benitez has also shared that it is down to the player whether he plays.
“It depends on him,” said Benitez as quoted by the same Sunderland Echo report.
“He is training with the team, and he has trained OK, but sometimes it is the confidence of the player, so we will see how he feels.”
Gayle made the switch to the north east in the summer from Premier League outfit Crystal Palace and he has been an instant star.
The striker has a return of 20 in 22 Championship matches, making him a key player for the second tier table toppers.
Newcastle have varied with Saturday match winner Aleksandar Mitrovic and the powerful Daryl Murphy in his absence, but fans will be eager to see Gayle back in the line-up.
In other Newcastle news, here is the expected Magpies line-up to face Norwich.
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