Newcastle United are due to take on Norwich City on Wednesday evening.
Rafael Benitez has told the Chronicle that he may opt to drop Dwight Gayle in Newcastle United’s next match, which comes against Norwich City on Wednesday evening.
Gayle was picked to start in Newcastle’s last outing, which came against Aston Villa.
However, the striker was guilty of spurning one glorious opportunity, which would surely have sealed the three points for his side.
Gayle raced through on goal when Newcastle were 1-0 up, but he shot straight at the keeper.
Villa ended up coming back into the match to claim a point, and Benitez has suggested that Aleksandar Mitrovic or Daryl Murphy could come into his thinking now.
“If I decide to change players it is not because someone has made a mistake or missed a chance – especially with the strikers,” Benitez explained.
“It is because they have to do a job. This was a game for Gayle. We have seen it was a game for him because he had a lot of chances.
“Maybe the next one is for him, or maybe Mitro, or maybe Murphy.
“I think it is not a question of if they miss a chance then you have to change it.
“It is a question of, if they work hard for the team, then the strikers will score goals because they are good enough.”
Newcastle have an enviable strike force at Championship level, meaning the pressure is on whoever starts.
Benitez has generally used a rotation policy when picking his Newcastle team so far this season.
Gayle is currently Newcastle’s top scorer, with the former Crystal Palace striker having four goals to his name so far.
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