Nick Woltemade’s Newcastle United future could lie outside of his best position.
That is according to former Magpies striker Dwight Gayle amid the German’s recent woes.
Woltemade arrived at St. James’ Park as Newcastle’s club-record signing last summer following a £69million move from Stuttgart.
Despite scoring four goals in his first five Premier League appearances, the 24-year-old has struggled in recent months.
The last of his seven league strikes came against Chelsea on December 20.
Meanwhile, he has not started a match since Newcastle’s Tyne-Wear derby defeat to Sunderland in March.
Having played just 25 minutes across three appearances since, Woltemade was an unused substitute against Brighton on Saturday.
Gayle on Woltemade’s future
Gayle believes the forward can still have a future at the club, though, as he gives Eddie Howe plenty of options in his side.
Appearing on the latest episode of talkSPORT’s Inside The Toon, he admitted Woltemade is ‘perfect’ for facing teams who will sit back and defend.
Discussing his current situation, Gayle said: “Woltemade perhaps isn’t best suited for the No.9 role in terms of the way Eddie likes to play, but he obviously was fantastic at the beginning of the season and contributed massively.
“So, I’m sure he’ll be a bit frustrated that he hasn’t been able to play, but he knows what he can do when he comes on the last 10, 15, 20 minutes in terms of being a physical presence in the box.
“He also brought a lot when he played in the No.10 as well so there’s multiple options to have on the bench and I’m sure they would be frustrated not to be playing, to be honest.”
Woltemade has already featured in midfield on several occasions this term.
The Germany international has faced criticism from fans and pundits in recent weeks after scoring 10 goals in 48 appearances for Newcastle.
Although talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham has labelled him the worst signing in Premier League history, others have defended Woltemade.
His compatriot Jens Lehmann has even argued the summer signing has ‘exceeded expectations’ during his debut season in England.
It follows reports claiming Woltemade wants to leave the club less than 12 months into his six-year deal.
Woltemade ‘perfect’ for new role
Gayle believes the club-record arrival still gives Howe plenty of options depending on how matches play out.
Asked if the Magpies boss should do more to accommodate Woltemade, he added: “I just think it gives you multiple options for certain games.
“I think in the Premier League now more than ever, you have so many different types of teams and you have to set up differently against everyone because everyone gives something different.
“Some teams will play with really high defences and then other teams will sit back against you.
“I think Newcastle this season have been, not caught out, but in terms of people understanding a bit more what they’re about.
“Newcastle are really good at counter-attacking and scoring goals on the transition. That’s why people like Woltemade would be perfect in terms of when teams are sitting back.
“He can be in the box where you’re going to get chances and have sustained attacks to cross the ball for people like Nick.
“I think that’s why people like that are good at the club as well to have other options because it is vital.”
However, Gayle doubts whether Woltemade has a Newcastle future outside of playing as a striker despite believing he is ‘perfect’ for the No.10 role.
When asked where his future has to be in order to get the best out of him, he added: “I think with Eddie’s system it will have to be as a striker, to be honest, if he wants to (stay).
“I think No.10, even though he’s obviously very tidy, Eddie likes his No.10 to have a lot of legs to be joining in attacks, but then also doing a lot of defensive work as well.”
Woltemade could have the chance to end his goal drought away to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Newcastle can return to the top half and move within touching distance of the European places with a win.
