Dwight Gayle has spoken of his excitement about potentially pulling on a Newcastle shirt for the first time this weekend



By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

In County Kildare

Dwight Gayle has spoken of his excitement about potentially pulling on a Newcastle United shirt for the first time this weekend.

The Magpies are currently out in Ireland on a week-long pre-season training camp, which concludes with a game against League of Ireland Premier Division outfit Bohemian on Saturday (2pm kick-off).

Gayle could well be involved in that friendly, having arrived from Crystal Palace at the start of this month.

And the striker believes he and his new teammates will be heading into it well prepared after some hard graft on the training pitches of their County Kildare base.

"It's been a great experience so far," he told nufc.co.uk.

"We are spending a lot of time together so there's a lot of bonding and we're forging a great team spirit.

"Being with each other 24/7, you're going to get to know people a lot quicker and that's the case here. Coming in right at the start of pre-season was perfect for me and it's been easy to settle in because it's a great group of lads.

"The training has been really good. We've seen a lot of the footballs, with keep-ball, possession drills and finishing. But there's also been a lot of shape and tactical work so it feels like we are covering everything.

"Everything is building up to the game at the weekend.

"If I play on Saturday it's going to be a nice experience for me. We've had a break for a couple of months, I've moved clubs in that time and I just can't wait to get back on the field and start playing again."

As one of five new arrivals to Rafa Benitez's first team squad this summer, Gayle undertook the customary initiation of singing in front of his teammates and staff during dinner on Sunday.

And while his rendition of Wonderwall, by Oasis, is unlikely to catch the attention of Simon Cowell and the X Factor judges, Gayle was happy to finally get it out of the way.

"It wasn't the best!" he laughed.

"I was a bit scared to go up there and got booed off but it's over now, thankfully.

"I was trying to get out of it but the lads wouldn't give in, so I had to get it over and done with. It's one of those things you've just got to do.

"I was bad but so were all the new lads, so it's all good fun and a way of breaking the ice for the new players. Now we can concentrate on the football and we are all looking forward to the game on Saturday."