Eddie Howe has cleared up Dwight Gayle's situation at Newcastle United - and insisted he does not deserve to have another season like the 2021/22 campaign.
Gayle made no starts under Howe and was told earlier this month that he would not be travelling with the first-team squad. Howe admits he held some honest conversations with the 32-year-old in the build-up to pre-season.
Gayle has been training away from the first-team group and linked with Birmingham City and Middlesbrough without getting any type of breakthrough on the transfer front.
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Howe said: “I’ve had a couple of conversations with Dwight. At the end of last season, we had a good conversation, and made him aware of the situation, for his own benefit, so he could take his career into its next phase.
"I was very honest with him. I said from day one, from my perspective, I had a great relationship with him, and I love working with him. He was brilliant for the team last year, and because of all those things, he deserved the utmost respect and honesty from me about the how the future lay for him, and I wanted to give him the best chance to find his next home.
"I really hope he goes on and has a great season next year, and I wish him nothing but success."
With Gayle on a good package at Newcastle though there is still the prospect of interested clubs not being able to match his earnings. So could that potentially mean Gayle staying at Newcastle's Academy training base for the season?
Howe replied: "I don’t see that outcome for Dwight. I certainly hope that’s not the outcome for Dwight, because I wouldn’t want that for him. He doesn’t deserve that. He deserves to play and showcase his skills.
"He’s got a lot to offer the game. I still believe he’s one of the best finishers I’ve ever worked with, and he’s guaranteed goals.
"It’s just I have to be fair to him, and I’ve got a big squad to carry. I only want to keep players if I can give them an opportunity to play."
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