Dummett is grateful for Heed start
NEWCASTLE defender Paul Dummett has explained the importance of his loan spell at Gateshead in his career, writes SEAN McCORMICK.
Dummett has been one of the Magpies’ most consistent performers across Rafa Benitez’s tenure, the Spaniard putting great trust in the left-back.
The boyhood Newcastle fan progressed through the club’s academy and has even captained the side this season.
He is also a Wales international but he feels he would not have been able to get to this point without invaluable loan spells with Gateshead and St Mirren.
Dummett joined Gateshead for a three-month loan spell in 2012, and he explained how that helped set him apart from his academy and reserve team team-mates at Newcastle.
He said: “I had friends at Newcastle who laughed at me when I went to Gateshead and said: ‘What are you doing that for?’
“They never did that and they don’t play football anymore.
“There were players who had more ability than me but the determination and the commitment you have to show to get to the first team is what I had and what some players did not have.
“You have to go and play. There could be a time when Newcastle come to you and say they do not need you any more and you have not played any games.
“If you have played 100 league games on loan, clubs are more likely to take you because they know they can trust you.”
Dummett is in line for a return to the United line-up in Saturday’s crucial Premier League clash at Huddersfield Town.