DWIGHT FRIGHT
Rafa’s worries over top scorer
by IAN MURTAGH
RAFA BENITEZ fears Dwight Gayle’s history of hamstring injuries is playing on his mind.
The Championship’s top scorer misses today’s home game against struggling Bristol City after limping out of the midweek win over Aston Villa before half-time.
But despite being given a clean bill of health by club medics, Benitez admits he doesn’t know if the 20-goal striker will be available for Tuesday’s top-of-the-table clash at Brighton or even the trip to Huddersfield next weekend.
Assured
“We don’t have a timescale on Dwight,” said Benitez, who is likely to start with Aleksandar Mitrovic in attack today.
“He is doing really well and all the tests are quite positive. It is a question of confidence more than anything.”
Gayle has been assured the hamstring problem which kept him out for a month before his abortive comeback has not flared up again.
He was cleared to start on Wednesday night but felt he was about to break down within minutes of kick-off.
Gayle suffered four hamstring injuries in 18 months during his Palace days and Benitez added: “Sometimes it is best not to remember what has happened in the past, just keep working hard and forget about it. We have been watching videos of the Villa game and we couldn’t see any situation when Dwight was feeling real pain or problems.
“He was not comfortable but before, in all the tests he did, he was fine.”
Benitez admits Gayle’s absence is a blow ahead of Newcastle’s most crucial period of the season so far.
“To lose your top scorer is not ideal,” he added. “Both Mitrovic and Murphy have done well but he offers something different.”