DWIGHT Gayle's hamstring injury is likely to rule him out of Newcastle United's Championship clash at Preston North End.

"He's a big doubt," said manager Rafa Benitez, who has several options among his strikers as he aims to repeat Tuesday's EFL Cup success against Simon Grayson's team.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored twice as United reached the quarter-finals, is now likely to keep his place, although others are in Benitez's thinking.

But Benitez said:"We have Mitrovic, Diame and Perez all scoring goals and it's good for me because they can come in and perform."

The United boss has already predicted that it will be a more difficult challenge that Tuesday's tie - and repeated his warning to his players in training.

He said:"I am sure it will be a different game they will try to make amends and are playing at home, so I am sure it will be more difficult. We have confidence, but we know it will be tough."

Benitez is also aware that United's recent run could breed complacency. "I hope you can ask me about complacency in April it will mean we've been winning.

"We have been winning after a bad start and know it could be a problem, but we are working on it and it can be avoided.

Jack Colback is also expected to miss the match after having stitches inserted in the head wound he suffered from an ugly challenge by Alan Browne on Tuesday.