Newcastle left back Paul Dummett is determined to keep his place in the first team despite increased competition in his position after the arrival of Achraf Lazaar at St James’ Park.
Lazaar arrived from Palermo for £3million before the end of the summer transfer window but was an unused substitute against Derby County on Saturday with Dummett in the starting eleven, but the 24 year old is backing himself to came out on top to be Rafa Benitez’s number one choice at left back. He told the Evening Chronicle:
“There’s been a few (left-backs) come and go but I’m still here now. It’s good for me because it’s the club I supported as a boy and have grown up watching. It’s something you always dreams of doing.”
“I am still here with this manager, and if he keeps picking me I’m happy to be here. I am on about 70 odd appearances now so I just need to keep working hard. If the manager keeps picking me that’s great. If he doesn’t, then I have to keep working.”
Dummett’s career at Newcastle has seen him play regularly over the past four seasons with Alan Pardew, Steve McClaren and Rafa Benitez all picking him regularly at full back. Whether Lazaar’s arrival will lead to him being sidelined, we may find out more tonight when the Magpies face QPR tonight. The Moroccan may find it hard to break in to the side however if Newcastle continue to keep clean sheets like they have done in their last two away matches.
