Newcastle should consider Kenedy at left wing-back

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Newcastle United face a nervous wait to hear the extent of the injury sustained by defender Paul Dummett during international duty.

The 27-year-old left-back started for his nation in the defeat to Denmark on Friday, but Wales have confirmed that he’s withdrawn from the squad and won’t be available against Albania.

He will return to St James’ Park and Rafael Benitez’s side will determine the severity of the injury that forced him off after just 39 minutes against Denmark.

Rafael Benitez could have a real dilemma if Dummett faces a spell on the sidelines, as he’s the club’s first-choice left-back and they lack quality options behind him in the squad.

Javier Manquillo looks far from assuring when he slots into the full-back role, while Achraf Lazaar is right out on the fringes of the senior squad.

But the solution for Newcastle should be to use Kenedy and perhaps a switch of formation could get the best out of him.

The 22-year-old flyer is a left-winger that usually focuses on attacking, but just one goal and one assist in 12 games represents a frustrating start to his season.

He has a strong balance to his game that means he could tick a lot of boxes in a wing-back role and seeing Newcastle switch to a 3-5-2 formation would allow Benitez to integrate a lot of his top talents.

Newcastle will hope Dummett is available to face Burnley in the Premier League when club football resumes after the international break, but if not Kenedy in a more defensive role could be an ace up his sleeve.