Benitez is right to leave the door open for Gayle to return to Newcastle next season

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Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has left the door ajar for Dwight Gayle to get his Magpies career back on track next season, as per the Chronicle.

They report that Gayle does not have an option to buy in his loan spell with Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion, where he has scored 17 goals this season.

That raises the prospect that Gayle could return to St James’ Park next season, to add his firepower to a side that is light on goals and has not yet tied down Salomon Rondon to a permanent deal.

Benitez said: “Dwight is doing really well. It’s good when players are doing well for their teams and you have to consider them for the future. OK, you never know what can happen but it’s good when they are doing well and enjoying themselves.”

There is a growing perception that Gayle is a Championship striker, but he has been no slouch when given an opportunity in the Premier League.

He knows where the goal is and for a side like Newcastle that does not possess too many natural goal threats, that cannot be overlooked.

The arrvial of Miguel Almiron has seen Newcastle play a great deal more attacking football, especially at home, and Gayle could thrive in that kind of style in the top flight.

He’s surely a better bet than the likes of Joselu, who has a greater physical presence but is not a born goalscorer in the same way Gayle is.

Benitez is right to leave the door open for a return in 2019/20, and should make good on that.