Newcastle United set to offer contract to player with 146 Premier League appearances

Newcastle United are prepared to offer Paul Dummett a new contract - despite him making just one appearance this season.

The Geordie defender, who last featured in the Magpies’ Carabao Cup 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 13 occasions in 2022-23, Magpies head coach Eddie Howe has plenty reasons to retain his services.

“Yeah, very much so,” Howe said when asked if Dummett could stay beyond the summer. “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.

“Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett, they’re players that, although they haven’t necessarily performed for the outside world, they’ve performed for us internally. They’ve both been excellent."

Dummett, who has suffered from several minor knocks this campaign, was ready to come on as a substitute in last Sunday’s 3-1 win at Southampton but unfortunately for the left-back, the full-time whistle blew.

Despite his injuries and lack of game time, Howe insists Dummett is “really good fitness-wise.”

Howe said: “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.

“Yeah, I was gutted I couldn’t get him on the pitch (against Southampton). Time ran out. It was just a little show from me that he’s very valued here."

Dummett has made 205 appearances [146 in the Premier League] for the Magpies since breaking into the senior set up in 2013.

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