Newcastle United news: Steve Bruce's message to Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and West Brom as Crystal Palace endure further injury misery

Gayle, 29, has made just five cameo appearances for the Magpies since battling back from injury in the early parts of the season, all of which has contributed to speculation surrounding his future.

However, Bruce has reiterated his desire to keep Gayle at St James’s Park and hopes to give the striker the first-team chance he craves very soon.

“I have had many conversations about Dwight and he wants a chance,” Bruce said ahead of the Crystal Palace game.

“He has only had a brief substitute appearance a couple of times. A lot of that was injury. I have said many times he is important.

“We will need three or four strikers. I have always spoken highly of him. I hope he stays and gets his chance sooner rather than later and when he does I hope he takes it.”

Indeed, Gayle’s former club and United opponents this weekend, are suffering an injury crisis, although are boosted by the potential return of Patrick Van Aanholt.

Scott Dann has this morning joined Andros Townsend, Gary Cahill, Jeffrey Schlupp, Jairo Riedewald and Joel Ward on the treatment table, manager Roy Hodgson has revealed.

But, the former England manager did bring good news about Van Aanhol. He said: “Patrick van Aanholt has started training with us again, so that’s very positive.

“We will see if he can play tomorrow. But if he can it will be a major boost because that’s been a problem position for us in the time he has been out."

He added: “We suffered a setback in training this morning with Scott Dann going for a scan this afternoon. It might just be a little scare that you sometimes get in training sessions.

“Otherwise, our injury list is as it were. If Scott Dann can’t make it then it is worsened, with all injuries seemingly occurring in the same area of the field.”

Meanwhile, The Telegraph report Bruce wants to tie up Jonjo Shelvey’s future at Newcastle before focusing on new signings next month.