United still hunting for left-back
NEWCASTLE United are still searching for the right candidate to offer competition to Paul Dummett at left-back.
Rafa Benitez and the Magpies hierarchy are eager to add another full-back, with forgotten man Achraf Lazaar the only other left-sided option on the books.
The issue has been enhanced, as it was last season, by an injury to Dummett, who has only played eight times in the league this season.
The Welsh international has missed the last three games after picking up an injury while on international duty last month but stands a good chance of featuring today against Wolves.
However, Dummett’s return from the physio room does not mean plans to bring a new leftback have changed, even if the right player is still yet to be found.
Benitez said: “It’s a position we have been looking at for a while but still we haven’t found someone ideal for this position.”
United have been linked with Paris Saint-germain’s Stanley N’soki, Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico, and Junior Firpo of Real Betis.
The Magpies have also been linked with Atlanta United playmaker Miguel Almiron but Benitez batted away transfer speculation.
He said: “We are trying to find the right players and that’s it. Sometimes you think you have the player and you cannot sign them.
“And sometimes you are not expecting and someone is telling you ‘You can have this one.’ So we are doing our job, trying to have the right names.
“But still, it’s too early. We will have to wait and see if we can find specific players.”