Pundit sends strong message to Newcastle United's strikers - and picks Callum Wilson replacement

Wilson, the Magpies’ top scorer with 10 goals, is ruled out for up to eight weeks after picking up a hamstring problem in the 3-2 win over Southampton.

His injury leaves a massive void in Steve Bruce’s starting XI, prompting a debate on should replace the 28-year-old – Dwight Gayle, Joelinton or Andy Carroll.

And Warnock has sent a strong message to those players, urging them to grasp the opportunity of leading United’s attack.

However, the 39-year-old already has a clear idea on who he thinks should lead the line at Chelsea this evening.

When asked if Newcastle should be worried about relegation, Warnock told Sky Sports’ Football Show: “It will be worrying because of the loss of Callum Wilson but that’s when you’ve got other players to stand up and be counted.

"This is the point you look at it and go ‘OK, if you’re Dwight Gayle or Joelinton, this is my time now where I can really change my Newcastle career and get myself into the first-team and prove everyone wrong and be the man who fires us up the league’.

"That’s the way you’ve got to try and look at things. Look at things positively, when someone is injured, you’ve got to think ‘this is my opportunity because I'm going to a run of 10 games possibly with the period Callum Wilson is out for’.

"I’d be knocking on the door of Steve Bruce saying ‘give me that opportunity, give me that chance’.

"With the way Steve Bruce has been setting his team up lately with the likes of (Allan) Saint-Maximin and (Miguel Almiron) higher up the pitch, that suits Dwight Gayle in the way he plays in that speed off the back and playing on the shoulder with those two creating to get in the box.

"So, I think it’s an opportunity for Dwight Gayle if I’m being completely honest.”