OPINION
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has numerous options to fill in for injured left back Paul Dummett against Burnley on Monday night.
The Magpies boss confirmed at his pre match press conference on Friday that the Welsh international would not be available to face Sean Dyche’s side.
The Spaniard must now choose between Jaiver Manquillo, Ciaran Clark, Achraf Lazaar and Kenedy for Dummett’s vacant spot on the left.
The only choice for Benitez, though, is Manquillo. The Spaniard, on a reported £35,000-per-week at St James’ Park [Source: Spotrac], performed well in the position against Manchester United earlier this season and should be given a chance to reprise his role on the left.
The former Atletico Madrid man has shown in the past that he is a talented player and, although he is a right back by trade, he is a much more capable pair of hands than the aforementioned trio.
Kenedy has performed well at left back in the past, but his attacking guile and industry is needed further up the pitch. Clark, meanwhile, is simply not mobile enough to cope with someone like Aaron Lennon.
Lazaar, on the other hand, has essentially been ignored by Benitez throughout his time on Tyneside and is unlikely to play any part against the Clarets.
Manquillo is the only choice, then. It’s long been clear that the 24-year-old is far from a world beater, but he is a decent player who will put in a solid shift wherever you put him.
With Dummett unavailable that he is the best Benitez can hope for on Monday. He just needs someone who’s not going to screw up the game for him – that’s the state of his full back options.
Manquillo can meet those modest expectations and then some. He is the only viable choice and must get the nod from Benitez against Burnley.
