Steve Bruce’s backroom staff at Newcastle United are said to be ‘disappointed’ at Andy Carroll, Dwight Gayle and Yoshinori Muto’s continued fitness issues.
That’s according to the Chronicle’s Chief Magpies Writer Lee Ryder, who has noted in a recent Q&A that the club did not target another centre-forward in the January market as there was a belief in those already at St. James’ Park.
Bruce has only seen one goal be scored from a recognised striker in the Premier League since taking up his position at the helm last summer, with Joelinton only firing home once since his club-record £40million move while Carroll, Gayle and Muto are yet to find the back of the net.
Yet club staff were confident the quartet would provide enough firepower for Bruce when they discussed January targets, and are now ‘disappointed’ by the issues keeping them off the field at St. James’ Park.
“They did not feel there was value in the players who were available – and they hoped that Carroll, Muto or Gayle would be back by now,” Ryder noted.
“I think Newcastle’s backroom team are disappointed that at least one of them isn’t back in contention.”
Were the club naive to not sign a striker in January?
Yes
No
Carroll has featured 13 times in the top-flight since returning to St. James’ Park in 2019 following his release by West Ham United, across which he has started four matches and recorded a total of two on-target shots from 11 efforts.
The 31-year-old has not taken to the field since January’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, though, as the Gateshead-born target man suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a hip flexor injury while attempting to volley a ball in training.
Gayle, meanwhile, saw his season delayed after sustaining a calf issue in pre-season, but has managed just two shots – neither of which were on target – since making his campaign debut in October and is again sidelined with a hamstring injury that could keep him out until March.
Muto, likewise, has offered next to nothing in attack this season, with the 27-year-old only taking one off-target shot over his seven Premier League outings. It would be a shock, therefore, were he to suddenly pose a threat up front in Bruce’s plans now that he is believed to have recovered from a hip problem.
Should neither of the trio provide a threat in attack before the season is over, the ‘disappointment’ behind the scenes at St. James’ Park will be nothing compared to the frustrations billowing around the stands.
In other Newcastle United news, the club are scouting a prolific 24-year-old subject to a potential €6m summer move.
Can not believe the state we are in over a striker one if not the most important positions on the pitch .and we are so inepted if steve Bruce can not see we have not one recognised number nine we may as well chuck the towel in now .I think we have done well so far as the lads at least have had a bit of fight about them but I just cant understand the lack of a proven striker