West Brom favourite Dwight Gayle set for transfer as clubs circle

Dwight Gayle could be set for a transfer deadline day return to the Championship as Newcastle United get busy.

Former West Brom striker Gayle, who became a fan favourite during his season-long loan at The Hawthorns in 2018-19 when he scored 24 goals as Albion came within a whisker of earning promotion back to the Premier League, is on the periphery at St James’ Park.

The Magpies, under Eddie Howe, are planning a busy final day of the January window as they look to remain in the top flight, despite having won just two matches all season. They have signed Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes, and are hopeful of adding more players before 11pm tonight.

That list includes Hugo Ekitike of Reims, another striker to add to the capture of Wood from Burnley, so Gayle’s chances of playing first-team football with Joelinton and Callum Wilson - though currently injured - also available to Howe are looking slim indeed.

Gayle, 32, is set to miss out on a place in the Newcastle 25-man squad which will be submitted to the Premier League upon the closure of the window and he, like fellow fringe players Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick, won’t be denied the chance to play first-team football elsewhere if the opportunity arises.

Nottingham Forest are on such team interested, but the Mirror add that there are others in the Championship who would take Gayle on a short-term loan deal.

“We’ll just have to assess the situation come the end of the window,” Howe said recently of Gayle and the others not set to be involved again any time soon.

“Obviously, I’d never leave a player in a position where they couldn’t play for us, and they’re not given the opportunity of going out on loan.

“I don’t think that’s right. We’ll try and be fair