Paul Dummett got some much-needed playing time after a campaign of inactivity, playing 45 minutes in Newcastle United’s 5-1 win over Gateshead on Saturday. He was substituted for Matt Targett at the break, along with nine other players.
The 30-year-old looked on his way out of St James’ Park after making just three appearances last season and spending most of 2021/22 injured, but he signed a new deal over the summer and is being given a chance by Eddie Howe to prove his worth.
Paddy Kenny believes Dummett and others could give Howe a selection headache in the coming campaign should they impress during pre-season. He noted that outcasts playing for their futures can often thrive despite poor form in the past, so the 30-year-old might have a chance of a reprieve.
Kenny told Football Insider: “You never know which players will thrive after a pre-season. This is the first pre-season with Howe so the players will look different on the first day of this season compared to the first day of last season.
“Some players, even the outcasts, will have the chance to impress and they could change Howe’s mind. Almost everyone there is playing for their future. You never know which players could go out and change what people think of them. You could see a completely different side of some players.”
Dummett rose from the youth ranks to Newcastle’s first-team, making 204 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals with one assist. He’s not held down a regular starting place for years, however.
The Welsh international hasn’t made more than 26 league appearances in a season and hasn’t made more than 16 league appearances in the last three campaigns, so he does have a lot to prove – Targett will be Newcastle’s first-choice at left-back.
In other news, Newcastle can do better than signing Jesse Lingard
