After injury to Paul Dummett should Newcastle revisit interest in Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs?
Rafa Benitez fears that Paul Dummett could face at least two weeks on the sidelines after being withdrawn from Newcastle United’s opening day defeat to Tottenham Hotspur through injury.
“We don’t know [the prognosis]. It’s too early. The main thing is we lost two players and we had to adapt,” Benitez told Sky Sports.
“We have to wait but a couple of weeks, one of them, for sure. Maybe Dummett. I don’t know.”
Paul Dummett of Newcastle United and manager Rafael Benitez embrace after he is subbed off through injury.
It meant Ciaran Clark had to fill in at left-back in a makeshift backline, with neither Massadio Haidara or Achraf Lazaar on the bench having been told by Benitez they are surplus to requirements – according to the Chronicle.
Therefore, with Dummett out of action for the immediate future and arguably an upgrade needed on the 25-year-old in any case to effectively compete in the Premier League, perhaps the Magpies should revisit a previous deal they were linked with.
Back at the start of July the Chronicle said Newcastle were interested in a move for Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs, who has fallen out of favour at the Emirates Stadium.
At the time £15m was quoted, although it was believed that the Gunners could be convinced to perhaps sell for closer to £11m.
The left side of defence was already one of the areas that Benitez needed to improve ahead of a season back in the top flight, so following the injury of Dummett surely the hierarchy at St James’ Park will now have their hand forced in the transfer market?
Kieran Gibbs of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match against Manchester United.
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