This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

West Bromwich Albion have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of striker Dwight Gayle as according to Chronicle Live reporter Mark Douglas, Newcastle United will listen to offers in January.

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What's the word?

The Baggies are keen on bringing their former loan ace back to the Hawthorns this January, per the Telegraph, after the 29-year-old scored 24 goals in 40 league games last campaign.

Slaven Bilic's chances of signing him have now been improved as an exit from the north-east seems rather likely if the Magpies are indeed willing to listen to offers for him.

Douglas claims that even though it will not be publicly advertised, Gayle is effectively on the trading block.

The striker has been limited to just four minutes of Premier League action this campaign, which at first was down to injury, but he has now been named on the bench in five straight matchday squads.

January boost

It is no secret that West Brom's striking department has been faltering this season, even despite them ranking as the second-highest scorers in the division.

Charlie Austin has only managed to score once in 11 appearances, Kenneth Zohore's two goals have come from the spot, and Hal Robson-Kanu just can't score when given the opportunity to start a game with all three of his strikes coming as a substitute.

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The trio have combined for just six of their 29 league goals this season, which is the same number as winger Matty Phillips alone, and if you then add Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana into the equation, the midfield three have contributed to 82% of their league goals, per WhoScored.

Therefore, it is fair to suggest that a striker would be much welcome at the Hawthorns in January.

The Baggies have a two-point cushion at the top of the Championship table but that could have been far greater had the likes of Austin and Zohore justified their combined £12m pricetag.