Ciaran Clark did well but “gutted” Paul Dummett must make Newcastle return at Chelsea

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It was a shock to most Newcastle fans when Paul Dummett was dropped from the starting lineup for the game against Manchester United last week, in favour of Ciaran Clark.

While it was widely acknowledged that a shake-up was in order after the humilitating 5-0 defeat at Leicester the week before, it was still an eyebrow raiser when Dummett was omitted.

But Clark did well on his return to the team, and did not put much of a foot wrong during the win, which makes this weekend’s Chelsea selection hard to call.

Dummett had not really done anything ourageously bad in any of the games he has played this season, and should still be seen as the first choice for the third centre-back slot.

Dummett admitted to the Chronicle he was “gutted” to miss out against Ole Gunnar Soskjaer’s side, but being the professional – and Toon fan – that he is, he was also quick to say a good team performance was the priority, while praising the job Clark did in his place.

Despite the thrashing at the Foxes, Dummett must still be seen as a more reliable defender away from home, and a trip to Chelsea would suggest it will take another heroic effort to get anything from the game.

It would, though, be harsh on Clark, having bided his time and waited for his opportunity, to then be ousted from the side having done nothing wrong.

Steve Bruce could play both Dummett and Clark at Chelsea

Of course, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Bruce could play Dummett as a defensive-minded left wing-back, and accommodate both the Welsh international and Clark in the same team.

It could see Jetro Willems given new role higher up the pitch, with Allan Saint-Maximin switching to the right, and resting Miguel Almiron.

That potential formation could see Newcastle have a more solid look about it, while maintaining a threat on the counter-attack.

Time will tell what Bruce decides to do, but in our opinion, having Dummett in the starting XI would be the best chance of not returning from London empty handed.