Newcastle United have rarely used their academy graduates in the Championship this season.
Rafael Benitez’s scepticism over using Newcastle United’s youngsters, could be bad news for Adam Armstrong.
Benitez was quizzed on the lack of youngsters coming through at Newcastle currently by the Sunderland Echo, and he admitted that it was difficult to be successful while bringing through academy graduates.
The Spanish boss said: “To have someone [Dummett] who can go into the first-team and play so many games is really good for the spirit of the team.
“The ideal situation would be to bring a couple of players from the academy each year but if you want to compete at the highest level it is difficult.
“If you want to do that you have to bring in players from outside, or abroad, to compete with the other teams.”
Newcastle have tended to favour experience over youth this season, as they have aimed to get promoted from the Championship.
The Magpies have given some fleeting chances to their youngsters in the cups, but in the pressurised environment of the league – Benitez has been reluctant to hand opportunities to his academy players.
One player who has not benefitted from Benitez’s lack of faith is Adam Armstrong, who has continued to be loaned out.
Armstrong is regarded as one of Newcastle’s best young talents, but he has only been used sparingly in their first-team.
The 20-year-old has hit five goals in 18 starts while on loan at Barnsley this season, and there has been hopes that he could be utilised at Newcastle next term.
However, Benitez’s latest comments suggest that Armstrong could struggle to break back into Newcastle’s team.
With the Magpies likely to be playing in the Premier League, the pressure will only be greater next term, and that means Armstrong could find himself out on loan once again.
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