Newcastle United face Preston North End for the second time this week on Saturday.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that Dwight Gayle is a doubt for the trip to Deepdale to face Preston North End, as quoted by The Chronicle.
The Championship’s top scorer did not play any part in the Magpies’ 6-0 win over Preston on Tuesday evening, and Benitez has been left in limbo as to whether his number nine will be available for their second clash with Simon Grayson’s side this week.
Dwight Gayle celebrates scoring Newcastle United’s second goal with Matt Ritchie
“Gayle is a big doubt,” Benitez told The Chronicle.
“We have Diame and Mitrovic scoring goals. It is good for me as people who come in perform even better.”
The Spaniard also confirmed that Jack Colback will miss out after receiving stitches following a head injury sustained in Tuesday’s EFL Cup game, while defender Chancel Mbemba is also a doubt.
Jack Colback of Newcastle United
There was some good news on the injury front however, with Benitez stating that Achraf Lazaar, Massadio Haidara and Rob Elliot have trained ahead of Saturday’s game.
While it is unlikely that any of the three aforementioned players will start at Deepdale, it certainly gives Benitez more options, particularly in the left back department, where Paul Dummett has had little competition all season. Lazaar has been limited to one substitute appearance in the Championship, while Haidara is yet to feature under Benitez.
Newcastle United’s manager Rafael Benitez and Preston manager Simon Grayson
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