DWIGHT GAYLE has admitted he may not have the physical presence of previous Newcastle United No 9s but he wants to be remembered for scoring the goals that secures a return to the Premier League.

Gayle took his tally to nine for the season when he hit a double in the 3-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday and he would love to stay as the Championship’s leading scorer for the rest of the season.

Rafael Benitez’s rotation policy means he is not certain to start at Barnsley tonight, when the Magpies could claim top spot if they defeat the Tykes in front of 6000 travelling fans.

But Gayle is determined to build on his promising start in a black and white shirt after winning the battle to wear the famous jersey after his £10m move from Crystal Palace in the summer.

“You know the previous history the No 9 has had and how big a number it is. To play in front of the fans every week is unbelievable,” said Gayle. “Everyone’s behind me and the team’s helping out fantastically in terms of assists and the quality in the team is fantastic. I’m relishing playing with the other boys in the team.

“I asked for it. I know the history of the previous players who have worn it and it was a great achievement to get it.

"I’m perhaps not the biggest or the strongest No 9 but the way Rafa’s got us playing is fantastic for me. It works wonderfully and long may it continue.”

Gayle’s ability to score is something Newcastle will be relying on between now and the end of the season to keep them in an automatic promotion spot.

But the 25-year-old insists he is not selfish enough to think about himself and that in his mind it is more important for the team to be finding the net regularly.

Gayle said: “Twenty goals is the target where you start and I just want to be winning games. The main thing for me is not even goals, I just want to get promoted and get back up to the Premier League with the club.

“We need to score goals to get promoted and I’m happy to help out but we’ve got other great players in there as well.”

Newcastle head to Barnsley sitting a point behind Norwich in the table. Jamaal Lascelles has recovered from the bug which forced him off against Brentford, while Chancel Mbemba is also fit so options have increased for the manager.

Newcastle are looking for a fourth straight win, but Benitez has warned against complacency ahead of the trip to Barnsley after being impressed by the quality of the team from South Yorkshire.

The Newcastle boss said: “For me, Barnsley is not a game where we can look and say 'It's easy'. Far from it, in fact the opposite. It's a team that goes forward, scores goals and plays with a high intensity.

“It's a very difficult game and we have to make sure that we pick the players who can play this game and concentrate and focus. We have to make sure we pick players who will play the way that we need them to play. These games are very dangerous.

“We try to keep the players on their toes, not just by rotating but also to ensure they have the right reality.

When you are playing well you watch out for over-confidence, when you struggle you are looking for confidence - so now we need to find the right balance. It's about doing the right things.”

Benitez has been hugely impressed by the support Newcastle have received in the Championship. Just days after another 50,000-plus crowd was inside St James’ for the visit of Brentford, they will be backed by a staggering 6,000 at Oakwell.

He said: “The fans are amazing. We have said that before and say it through the season but when you get a record number of fans going away, for us it's crucial.

“It's crucial for the players' belief and for them to realise how big this club is and how important it is that we keep performing for them. If we keep doing well it will only get better.”