Peter Beardsley makes prediction about Dwight Gayle, compares him to former Newcastle hero Andy Cole

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Peter Beardsley has praised Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle.

Newcastle United coach Peter Beardsley has told The Chronicle that he thinks striker Dwight Gayle is similar to former Magpies ace Andy Cole.

The Magpies have mostly used Joselu as their main striker this season, and that has bumped Gayle down the pecking order, along with his recent hamstring injury.

Gayle, 27, was Newcastle’s goalscoring hero last season with 23 goals in 32 league games, with many hoping that he could make the step up to the Premier League.

However, speculation over the summer suggested that Newcastle were looking to cash in on the ex-Crystal Palace man, only to be left at St. James’ Park with no deal done before last month’s transfer deadline.

Gayle is now attempting to rebuild his fitness in a bid to prove himself to Rafael Benitez again, and he played for Newcastle’s Under-23’s against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this week.

Gayle didn’t score in his 60 minutes on the pitch, but will be pleased to have boosted his fitness as he looks to prove that he can score goals in the Premier League.

Now, Newcastle coach Peter Beardsley has praised Gayle, telling The Chronicle that he thinks Gayle is similar to ex-Magpies hitman Andy Cole in the runs he makes and the deliveries he needs in order to score.

Former Newcastle forward Andy Cole

Beardsley added that he is predicting that Gayle will come good again when he gets his sharpness back, and he will become important to Benitez’s plans again this season.

“Dwight likes a certain type of delivery,” said Beardsley. “He’s the type of player I’d loved playing with because he’s always ready. He wants to make his runs and wants the ball. That’s what Andy Cole was like, they’re very similar. To be fair to Dwight he played in the Championship last season which is not easy, but to get the goals he got and be injured for the time he was is amazing.”

“He will come good again. But he needs to get his sharpness and get back to normal. He’s had a hamstring injury from the start of the season. There will be an important point where he becomes part of the team again,” he added.