Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce reacts to Dwight Gayle injury and Andy Carroll rolling back the years

Carroll netted an impressive first goal back in black and white, bobbing and weaving with the ball flicked left and right before burying the opener in a three goal victory over Crewe Alexandra in York on Tuesday.

But just 20 minutes into the second period Gayle, fresh off the bench, hyperextended his knee and limped out of action, causing Bruce a real frontline headache ahead of the Premier League season, which kicks off in just two and a half weeks.

"We are here for fitness levels so we have given everyone 45 minutes. Everything went well in terms of how they went about their work but the disappointing thing is Dwight has picked up a knock,” said Bruce, speaking to NUFC TV.

"We hope that is not too serious but overall that has put an end to a really decent five or six days.”

On Carroll’s goal, he added: “He was very good and scored a goal – I hope you've got it because that was Andy Carroll of old.

“He's got the quality and we know with Andy his qualities and we know the big thing with Andy is to stay well and stay fit. The rest will look after itself.

“He's done really well, worked very hard. Probably the lockdown helped him. And this period now, touch wood, he looks well.”