Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has issued updates on Paul Dummett, Karl Darlow and Isaac Hayden ahead of the clash against Everton on Wednesday.
The Magpies travel to Goodison Park hoping to avenge their 3-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday, but Benitez has confirmed that all three players are not in contention to face the Toffees, as relayed by Chronicle reporter Lee Ryder on his personal Twitter account at the pre-match press conference.
Dummett suffered an injury to his hamstring while playing for Wales a few weeks back, which meant that he has missed Newcastle’s previous two clashes, while Darlow sustained an injury to his elbow during a training session.
Rafa Benitez confirms Paul Dummett is out of #efc game – along with Isaac Hayden and Karl Darlow. #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) December 4, 2018
OPINION
The fact that Dummett is out for yet another match is no doubt causing a major headache for Benitez. His replacement against West Ham – Javier Manquillo – was not at his best in the slightest, but the manager may have to resort to using once again for this fixture. However, this may not be the case after his tactic of putting five at the back helped secure a win over Burnley, so not all is lost for this match. It remains to be seen just how long Dummett will be absent for, but Benitez will no doubt be hoping that it is soon after such a heavy defeat. Darlow will not be as big a miss as Dummett will be as he is unlikely to usurp Martin Dubravka from the team anytime soon. Hayden’s absence will be the same after managing to miss out on a lot of first team football this season – however, it does been that Benitez has less depth in his squad.
