Gayle in plea for Cup run
DWIGHT GAYLE has pleaded with his manager Steve Bruce for a crack at Manchester City in the FA Cup on Sunday.
The forgotten striker netted his first Newcastle goal for two years just seconds after coming on as a substitute against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Fellow sub Andy Carroll set up that goal and Gayle believes his partnership with the big former West Ham forward can do damage to Pep Guardiola’s side in the quarter-final tie.
Gayle was on loan at West Brom last season but Bruce regards him as the best finisher at the club and the 29-year-old is ready to prove himself after a campaign that has been marred by hamstring and calf injuries.
He said: “I am happy to be back playing. Me and Andy link up well in training and we got an assist and a goal.We will keep banging on the door to prove we can do a job. I
“It has been frustrating injury-wise and I want to help more.
“We have taken the pressure off ourselves from looking behind us and we can look forward to the cup and give it a go and, hopefully, get a result.”
Bruce has left the door open for Gayle to be called up again.
He said: “I am delighted for Dwight. Linking with Andy, they added a bit of freshness up front.”
The Toon are assessing Matt Ritchie and Isaac Hayden, who are both recovering from softtissue injuries.
On the heels of Carroll extending his time at Newcastle, defender Javier Manquillo has signed a new four-year deal.
Matty Longstaff has also agreed a deal that makes him available for the rest of the season.