The Newcastle United veteran is expected to make his first Premier League start in almost two years against Tottenham this weekend.
When Newcastle United face Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park this weekend, the club plans to give relatively forgotten veteran Paul Dummett a start. This would be the 32-year-old’s first Premier League appearance in 812 days.
The Magpies have been plagued by injuries this season, and the club’s treatment room is still packed with first-team players at this late stage. Nick Pope, Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Lewis Miley, and Matt Targett will almost certainly miss Saturday’s early kick-off.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe announced in his pre-match press conference that Joe Willock, who was substituted early in the team’s win over Fulham, is also expected to miss the game. Howe stated, “Joe has seen another expert to check on the progress of his Achilles, which has been problematic for him. It’s been a challenging injury since it hasn’t been uncomplicated, and he’s had a few issues while recovering to full health.
“His feedback was generally positive, in the sense that the Achilles is healing and doing well, though it will fluctuate from time to time.” It will have instances when it does not feel so pleasant.
“For Tottenham, I believe he will not be available. There’s a potential he’ll be available for the rest of the season, but this is unclear. We need to ensure that his long-term prognosis is positive, which may need a little time of relaxation.”
Newcastle United are similarly short on defensive players, despite full-back Tino Livramento’s impending return. Against the Cottagers, Howe fielded a slightly improvised back four of Lewis Hall, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, and Emil Krafth.
However, the Magpies may be without Chelsea loanee Hall. Howe stated: “The closest player to returning would be Tino Livramento; he has not trained with the team but has gone out on the grass. Lewis Hall hasn’t trained at all this week, so he’s a little concerned after last week. Other players are doing well in the background, so I’m hoping to bring three or four back in the near future.”
That news could have Tottenham’s forward trio of Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-min, and Timo Werner salivating. Howe may have no choice but to start Dummett, 32, on Saturday.
The centre-back has been at Newcastle United since 2010, although he has become a marginal player since Howe’s arrival. Dummett has not started a Premier League game since January 22, 2022, when the Magpies won 1-0.
Dummett has made three appearances off the bench in the top tier this season, two in the previous two games, totaling 15 minutes. The substitute’s manhandling of Everton’s Ashley Young resulted in a penalty for the Merseyside team to square the game.
The defender has played Spurs ten times in his career, only playing against Manchester City more, winning four, drawing one, and losing one. He last played Tottenham in April 2021, when they drew 2-2 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
