Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has provided an update on the fitness of first team trio Paul Dummett, Salomon Rondon and Ciaran Clark ahead of the team’s clash with Brighton on Saturday.
All three players have been experiencing setbacks of varying seriousness in recent weeks, with Newcastle’s official website confirming that Clark was the latest to pick up a knock on international duty this week.
And Benitez has provided an update on the trio: “Paul Dummett has trained normally, Ciaran Clark out and Rondon has trained but not available,” he said at his pre match press conference, as reported by journalist Lee Ryder on his personal Twitter account.
Rafa: "Paul Dummett has trained normally, Ciaran Clark out and Rondon has trained but not available." #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) October 19, 2018
It sounds as if Dummett will be fit to take up his role on the left hand side of the Magpies defence against the Seagulls, but Rondon and Clark will not be featuring on Saturday.
OPINION
It was expected that when Clark picked up a knock in mid week that he might not be fit to face Brighton on Saturday, but Rondon was thought to be close to returning to full fitness. The fact that he has trained but is not available suggests that he simply isn’t yet back up to speed with the rest of the first team squad. If he had looked good in training then he surely would have featured in the match day squad at the very least. Having Dummett back is a big boost for Newcastle supporters, though. Rarely seen Javi Manquillo filled in at left back against Manchester United last time out and, while the Spaniard didn’t disgrace himself, there is a reason he’s a bit part player under his countryman. Dummett is the main man at left back for the Magpies and to have him back for such a big game is massive for the team.
