Hibernian forward Dwight Gayle says his “body is falling apart” and wants to retire as a player at the end of this season.
The former Crystal Palace and Newcastle United striker signed a season-long deal at Easter Road in the summer and has scored two goals in nine appearances.
Gayle netted in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Ross County but is frustrated at not being able to contribute to the team as he would have liked.
“Yes, I started to express my feelings,” said the 35-year-old, who has already received his UEFA B coaching licence.
“My body is starting to break down a bit and maybe I can pack it in.
“It’s a whole bunch of things — you’re not able to generate the same speed and power as other people. It’s hard to recover from game to game as quickly as you used to.
“I’ve always wanted to play, do what I can to help the team, and when you think you’re not really capable of that, it’s a difficult time.
“I want to play forever, but with injuries and things like that, your body starts picking up things that you probably have to think about.
“It’s not just muscle injuries, but other things that can stop you later in life, maybe playing in the garden with your kids and things like that. Those are things I need to take into account.”
Gayle famously scored twice as a substitute for Crystal Palace to complete a remarkable comeback against Liverpool and effectively cost Brendan Rodgers’ side the Premier League title in 2013–14.
He joined Newcastle in the summer of 2016 in a deal worth a reported £10 million and has also played for Peterborough United, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.
