Newcastle Defender In Line For A New Contract - And Shirt Number

Newcastle United will reward Paul Dummett for his consistency during an otherwise dreadful 2014-15 season for the Magpies defence by handing the 23-year-old a new contract - and the No 3 shirt. The Tyneside-born defender made 29 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring once, and he operated efficiently at left-back before performing admirably when called upon to play at centre-back. It is that versatility that makes him so important to a side who conceded 61 Premier League goals last season - the second-highest in the division - but who suffered greatly during Dummett's extended absence due to a knee-cap injury at the start of 2015.

Although Dummett only signed a new six-year deal with the Magpies in November 2013, his wage is one of the lowest of the first teamers at the club due to the fact he progressed through the club's academy and that is why he will be offered a new contract, according to the Sunderland Echo. Yet the one-cap Wales international is now a regular starter for Newcastle and, following the decision to allow Davide Santon and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa to leave the club, the six-foot-tall defender will be handed the former's No 3 shirt. Dummett's progression at Newcastle has been rapid in the last couple of seasons. Following loan spells at Gateshead and St Mirren, Dummett returned to Tyneside on 2012-13 but failed to make a Premier League appearance. However, in the last two campaigns he has amassed 50 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice. In 2014-15, Dummett played 2,109 Premier League minutes in 25 appearances for Newcastle - averaging 1.5 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 6.6 clearances a game. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.