Newcastle news: Rarely seen 31-year-old pushing for new contract

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Newcastle United are a team built on unity.

Indeed, Eddie Howe has constantly talked up the likes of Matt Targett and Matt Ritchie even despite their lack of game time, such is the collective spirit amongst the group.

Allan Saint-Maximin is another who has spoken positively about his situation even despite the fact the Frenchman surely hasn’t enjoyed as much regular first-team football as he’d previously been used to.

During a period in which Newcastle have brought in big money signings fairly regularly, keeping that ethos alive cannot be an easy job for Eddie Howe.

At some point of course, players not regularly used will have to leave as the squad goes under more and more of an overhaul.

One in particular, however, is keen to stay.

Paul Dummett pushing for a new contract

According to The Chronicle, Paul Dummett’s representatives are now pushing for a new contract at St James’ Park, with his current deal set to expire this summer.

The 31-year-old has made only four appearances across the last two seasons for Newcastle but Howe is believed to be a big fan.

In fact, the Magpies head coach hailed the former Wales international as “massive” part of the club’s future last year, though that surely pointed to his importance behind the scenes more than anything else.

Newcastle like the authenticity

While it would be foolish to suggest Dummett was handed a one-year contract extension last summer simply because of his connection to the area, it cannot have harmed it.

In May 2022, The Athletic revealed that decision-makers at St James’ Park valued Dummet’s standing as an academy graduate and viewed him as someone who espoused the club’s values.

Whether or not that is enough to keep getting new contracts, however, is certainly debatable.

With Newcastle reportedly pushing to sign a left-back to allow Dan Burn to move into a central defensive area already boasting such options as Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles, it’s hard to see any kind of avenue in which Dummett plays going forward.

Perhaps this should be the end.