Steve Bruce makes decision on striker amid Leeds United interest

Dwight Gayle has only played 24 minutes of Premier League football so far this season – but Bruce doesn’t want to lose him in the New Year.

Leeds United and Nottingham Forest have been linked with the striker, who has an incredible scoring record in the second tier.

Gayle – who signed an improved deal at St James’s Park before agreeing a loan at West Bromwich Albion last season – is out of contract in the summer of 2021

Bruce, however, doesn’t want to lose Gayle in the New Year.

And the 29-year-old – who scored 23 goals in Newcastle’s Championship-winning season and 24 more last season while on loan at The Hawthorns – is “knocking on the door” at the club after recovering from the calf injury which saw him miss the start of the season.

“I don't want to lose him,” said Bruce. “I made it plain in the summer that I don't want to lose Dwight Gayle. Unfortunately, he's been injured up until the last month.

“I see him at the moment knocking on the door because the more he's training, and he's got an infectious enthusiasm about him on the training ground, so I don't want to lose him, that's for sure.”

Asked if he could see Gayle leaving the club in the January window, Bruce said: “I can't see him leaving in January, no.”