Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Gayle injury a blemish on Newcastle triumph
NEWCASTLE boss Rafael Benitez revealed Dwight Gayle is set for a further spell out after the striker had to be taken off midway through the first half of the 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.
The Magpies’ leading scorer had missed six games with a hamstring injury before making his return as a substitute in last Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Norwich.
He was back in the starting line-up to face Villa six days later but a recurrence of the problem means Benitez cannot be certain when the marksman will be back in action.
“Dwight was doing well in training,” he said. “He had a baby last week and some days he was not sleeping. Maybe putting everything together, he wasn’t that comfortable from the start.
“We had to make the substitution. It’s the same problem. He’ll miss some games but hopefully it’s not too bad.”
Newcastle edged ahead in the 42nd minute when Yoan Gouffran pounced in a crowded penalty area to earn the lead before a Henri Lansbury own-goal sealed the points and moved the Magpies back to the top of the Championship.
“Every game in the Championship is difficult, we were up against a good team with good players and we have to give credit to them,” added Benitez. “Our second goal was important because we could settle and be more dangerous. They have very good players, they can pass, they can run and beat players one v one. At the moment they maybe don’t have the confidence.
“They were asking me about the games we have coming up, but we have to concentrate on every single game.”