Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle set to miss up to 12 weeks

Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle set to miss up to 12 weeks after being forced to undergo surgery on damaged knee ligaments leaving Steve Bruce to rely on Andy Carroll to lead the line for season opener against West Ham

  • Dwight Gayle is set to undergo surgery on a knee ligament injury on Saturday 
  • Andy Carroll is likely to lead the line for Steve Bruce’s side against West Ham
  • Bruce has been frustrated so far in his efforts to land top target Callum Wilson

Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle will undergo surgery on Saturday to repair damaged knee ligaments and is facing up to three months out, Sportsmail can reveal.

The 29-year-old visited a specialist this week, where it was confirmed he needs an operation after injuring his medial collateral ligaments during a pre-season friendly against Crewe last month.

The recovery time will be between 10 and 12 weeks, meaning it is likely to be December before he returns.

Dwight Gayle will go under the knife on Saturday to have surgery on his knee ligament injury

Dwight Gayle will go under the knife on Saturday to have surgery on his knee ligament injury

It is a blow for head coach Steve Bruce, who almost certainly would have started the campaign with Gayle as his first-choice frontman had he been fit.

Gayle looked sharp as he scored four times during the closing weeks of last season and his loss has heightened Bruce’s need for a new striker.

The manager wants Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson but it remains to be seen if Newcastle’s hierarchy will make a formal offer after Aston Villa saw a £15million bid rejected on Friday.

As it stands, Andy Carroll is set to start against former club West Ham next weekend.

Andy Carroll is likely to start up top for the opening game of the season against West Ham

Andy Carroll is likely to start up top for the opening game of the season against West Ham 

source: dailymail.co.uk