Benitez must resist temptation to return for deadline day target Pieters

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Newcastle only have Paul Dummett in the way of recognised left-backs and Rafa Benitez was in the market to rectify that during the summer.

He was ultimately unsuccessful, so if he wants to bolster his defence he will have to return to the market in January.

Stoke City’s Erik Pieters was reportedly a deadline day target for Benitez but he was unable to snare the defender, back when the Potters were favourites for Championship after a summer of heavy investment under Gary Rowett.

After a patchy start to the season, Stoke’s promotion hopes do not look too rosy and that may convince Pieters to leave the Bet365 Stadium mid-season.

The Chronicle report that Pieters ‘would likely jump’ at the opportunity to return to the Premier League with Newcastle; so should Benitez pounce?

Pieters would be a fairly uninspiring signing given his form last season in the top flight with Stoke. A player of his international experience should have been one of the leaders in a dressing room that was fighting relegation but instead he was a passsenger as Stoke meekly surrendered.

He’s a reasonable squad option, but when the likes of Leighton Baines are being mentioned, Pieters is not going to cut the mustard.