The Newcastle striker was left out of the starting lineup against Manchester City.
Newcastle United host Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow afternoon, with Rafael Benitez’s side in desperate need of points in their quest to avoid relegation.
The Magpies have won just one Premier League game since October but have a presentable opportunity to take all three points against a Brighton said that have only won one of their last five top flight fixtures.
If Newcastle are to prevail at St James’ Park, though, it seems clear that Dwight Gayle needs to lead the line.
Gayle was deployed as a substitute in the defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday night as Newcastle adopted a defensive approach, but the sprightly forward will be needed from the outset against Brighton.
Given that he is capable of getting into dangerous attacking areas with regularity, Gayle can cause difficulties for the Brighton defence and provide Newcastle with a major threat, much unlike Joselu, whose impact on games if often minimal.
As Newcastle are in the midst of a hectic schedule, it is perhaps understandable that Gayle hasn’t started every game of late, but there is no question that he needs to be heavily involved against Brighton as Benitez looks to oversee what would be a morale-boosting victory.
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