OPINION
Newcastle United forward Dwight Gayle will dominate the headlines after Saturday’s game against Huddersfield Town as he is bound to excel against the Terriers.
The 27-year-old’s recent improvement in form has gone undetected, and with the game against Huddersfield being so important, the media will finally pick up on it.
Gayle has scored twice, while registering two assists in the Magpies’ last four league games and will be too much to handle for the Terriers’ defence.
David Wagner’s side have a terrible defensive record this season, as they’ve conceded 52 goals in 31 league games, and Gayle is more than capable of tearing them apart.
The 27-year-old forward should be extra motivated for Saturday’s game, not just because a win could move his side seven points clear of the relegation zone, but because of the presence of Islam Slimani.
Rafa Benitez revealed in his press conference on Friday, ahead of the game against the Terriers, that Slimani was finally fit enough to be named as a member of his matchday squad.
“Slimani is also fine so he is fine,” stated the Magpies manager, as quoted by the Chronicle.
“We had a fitness plan, we were in contact with the Algerian federation and it was a good idea for everyone that he played some minutes.
“It is good for his confidence and he is in the squad for tomorrow.”
However despite the exciting update regarding the 29-year-old, Slimani will no doubt start on the bench for Saturday’s clash.
The centre-forward, who joined on loan from Leicester City in January, could make his long-awaited first appearance for the Magpies but Gayle should aim to keep him seated.
Gayle is no doubt aware that his place in the first-team is at risk from the presence of Slimani and knowing that he is watching on, should make the 27-year-old raise his game.
Slimani was clearly signed in January to improve the Magpies’ goal return as Gayle had only managed to grab three goals prior to January, and the 27-year-old knows that.
With this is mind and Gayle’s recent improvement in form, the English centre-forward will grab all the headlines from their game against Huddersfield Town as he will rip their weak defence apart.