Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce remains defiant about the future of striker Dwight Gayle .
Gayle has been linked with a move to Nottingham Forest when the January transfer window opens next month, having struggled to force his way into the Magpies’ Premier League fold.
The frontman so prolific at Championship level, has yet to feature for the Toon this season from the start, but despite his lack of match action, Bruce says he’s keen to keep the former West Brom star at St James’ Park.
“I don't want to let Dwight Gayle go,” he told Chronicle Live.
"I made that pretty clear in the summer.
“How would I replace him?"
Newcastle, who secured an impressive 2-2 draw with champions Manchester City on Saturday with the 29-year-old coming off the bench for his fourth outing of the campaign, have operated with Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin in attack, leaving Gayle to watch on from the sidelines.
"Yeah absolutely,” said Bruce when quizzed about the cost of replacing Gayle should he be allowed to leave.
"And I wouldn't want to let any of our good players going in January.
"I fought hard in the summer to keep him and that will be the case again.”
