Newcastle United hope to reach contract agreement with player who’s made 205 appearances

Newcastle United are hopeful of agreeing a new contract with long-serving defender Paul Dummett.

The Geordie, who last featured in the Magpies’ Carabao Cup second-round win at Tranmere Rovers in August, is out of contract this summer.

And although the 31-year-old has been named in the matchday squad on just 18 occasions in 2022-23, United head coach Eddie Howe wants to retain his services.

“I hope we can come to an agreement with Paul and he will stay for next year,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “I think he is a vital part behind the scenes of our success this year.

“He’s trained superbly and his commitment to Newcastle is undoubted. We’d love him to extend his stay.”

Dummett, who progressed through Newcastle’s academy, has made 205 appearances [146 in the Premier League] since breaking into the senior set-up in 2013.

Asked about Dummett earlier this month, Howe said: “I see Paul as part of our future.

“When you build a squad, you’re never going to be able to play everybody within that squad for the amount of time that maybe they want to, so you need players that are prepared to fight for their place, train really well and have a really good effect on the group.”

“He’s had a really consistent run of training, hasn’t missed a day in a while. I think any player benefits from that consistency.

“He’s a very, very good player, Paul, and, I think, the beauty of it is that he can play in a couple of positions for us. It’s great to have a player who’s got that experience and ability.

“Yes, he hasn’t had an opportunity yet, really, to get a run in the team because of the consistency of the other players, but he’s someone we valued very highly as a player, person (and) professional.”

Dummett will contribute towards the club’s homegrown quota with UEFA rules dictating that eight places in a 25-player European squad should be reserved for locally trained players.

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