Dwight Gayle 'turned down West Bromwich Albion return'

Newcastle United forward Dwight Gayle reportedly turned down the chance to return to West Bromwich Albion this season.

Gayle spent last term on loan with the Baggies, netting 24 goals in 40 Championship games as he and strike partner Jay Rodriguez fired West Brom to the playoffs.

However, despite not being in Steve Bruce's immediate plans after the record signing of Joelinton, Gayle chose to stay on Tyneside instead of returning to the Championship, according to The Athletic.

The Magpies were looking to loan Gayle out to the second tier side once more, and Gayle insisted that he would only leave on a permanent deal.

Despite being frozen out so far this season, Gayle had made two very brief cameos off the bench as Bruce turns to his forgotten man to try to alleviate Newcastle's inability to score goals, with the departures of Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez badly affecting the club in attack.