Paul Warne has admitted one Derby County star is a little ‘rusty’, but believes he can still be a huge ‘threat’ for the team.
Derby County are now heading into the final stretch of the League One campaign, with only ten games to go.
The Rams currently sit in the automatic promotion spots, but are only three points above fourth place Barnsley.
They had the opportunity to close the gap between themselves and leaders Portsmouth, however two defeats in their last three games caused them to slip up.
They returned to winning ways against Port Vale though, with Louie Sibley (2) and Dwight Gayle finding the back of the net to gift the hosts an important three points.
The absence of James Collins initially caused a huge stumbling block in Derby’s bid for promotion, however the arrival of Gayle has given them some hope.
With the striker barely playing for Stoke City this season, Warne has admitted he is ‘rusty’, but has claimed he can still have a positive effect over the next few months.
Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, the Rams boss said: “It will give him a right boost (scoring).
“We know he is rusty, and we also know he can definitely play at this level and he is another threat for us.
“Some of his touches were good again and he took a little bit more rust off.”
Dwight Gayle hadn’t scored a single goal in the Championship this season, while he had only made four starts and had featured for 30 minutes in the three months prior to his move to Pride Park.
His rustiness comes as no surprise, with Warne admitting his lack of action became apparent when the coaches prepared presentations for the strikers with a highlight reel of their efforts on goal.
He added: “We were trying to find Dwight’s and it had been a while, that is the honest truth.
“But it [his first Derby goal] will do him no end of good.”
Does Dwight Gayle have what it takes?
Signing Dwight Gayle was a risk given his age and goal drought, but it is looking likely to have paid off after his first few games with the club.
The 34-year-old won’t be relied on to score week in week out, but he can certainly play his part and contribute to the club’s efforts to win promotion.
With James Collins also expected back before the end of March, having both forwards available could certainly work in Derby’s favour in the final month or so of the campaign.
Injures haven’t been good to the Rams, but there is no reason why they can’t smash these final ten games and win automatic promotion.