Steve Bruce says that he opted against signing a striker in January in the hope that he could get Dwight Gayle back into goalscoring form in the Premier League.
Gayle last netted for United at the top level back in May 2018 when he scored in a 3-0 win over Chelsea at St James' Park.
Since then he was loaned out to West Bromwich Albion by Rafa Benitez to pave the way for Salomon Rondon's move from the Hawthorns last term before returning to Tyneside and suffering some rotten luck with injuries.
Newcastle have been left to battle on with just Joelinton through a long hard winter so far with Gayle, Yoshinori Muto and Andy Carroll all injured. The Brazilian again failed to score at Palace yesterday.
Bruce said: "The reason why we didn't sign a striker in January?
"I felt that those who were available weren't any better than Dwight Gayle.
"I keep saying that I think a lot of him.
"He's a very good footballer I hope he stays injury free now."
Bruce insists he wants to see Gayle have a run in the team from the start despite using him from the bench on occasion this season.
Bruce on Gayle: "I don't know how many times I've said in the last few months.
"I've gone on record to say I tried to buy him three times.
"Unfortunately, since the day I walked into the club he had a calf injury which never got any better.
"Then he did his hamstring.
"Dwight is a very good player and a natural goalscorer.
"It would be a welcome boost for us if he was available to us for the rest of the season.
