Returning Dummett: 18 cup finals await struggling United

PAUL Dummett has warned Newcastle they face 18 cup finals in their attempt to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Magpies squandered an opportunity to lift themselves out of the drop zone on Saturday when they allowed a lead slip from their grasp as fellow strugglers Watford snatched a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.

Dummett, a veteran of the club’s last slide into the Championship at the end of the 2015-16 campaign and a series of near misses since, knows exactly what it will take to avoid a repeat, and is aware that process cannot start soon enough.

He told NUFC TV: “Everyone in the changing room knows how important this is. I’ve been in this situation before down at the bottom of the league and every game is like a cup final now. “This game was a chance missed. We knows as a squad that draws aren’t going to keep us in the league and every game that goes past is an opportunity missed. “Today was a big opportunity missed with the chance that we had and we didn’t take all three points. We have to evaluate and then train hard next week and hopefully we can take three against Leeds next week.” Newcastle, with £25million signing Chris Wood in the team for the first time, took a deserved lead when Allan Saint-Maximin produced a moment of magic, dispossessing full-back Jeremy Ngakia before carving his way into the penalty area and blasting an unstoppable shot past keeper Ben Foster. However, whether consciously or otherwise, the goal sent Eddie Howe’s nervy side into retreat - the head coach later admitted they had gone into “protection mode” far too early – and they were made to pay at the death when Joao Pedro levelled with a fine header from Kiko Femenia’s cross.

Former Wales international Dummett, making his first appearance since May last year after finally shaking off a calf injury, was delighted to be back, but his personal situation was secondary.

He said: “I’m happy that I was on the pitch, but ultimately it’s a team game and we didn’t win, so that’s the most disappointing thing.”

While Dummett returned to action on Saturday, the Magpies have been linked with another leftback as they push to strengthen their squad.

Atalanta’s German defender Robin Gosens, 27, is reportedly a target for Newcastle, having previously been the subject of interest from Manchester City and Barcelona.