Paul Dummett’s loan move back to St Mirren is still very much alive – despite the fact that the youngster made his top team debut for Newcastle United on Saturday.
Saints boss Danny Lennon desperately wants the 21-year-old defender back on an extended loan move after a string of good performances for the Buddies in the SPL.
Dummett’s four-month loan deal at Saints – which included 19 appearances and two goals – expired last week and the player returned to Tyneside to be assessed by his parent club.
However, due to the crippling injury list at the Magpies, Dummett made his top-team debut during the club’s FA Cup game away to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
Welsh Under-21 international star Dummett came on for the second half of the game, replacing James Perch and he did not look out of place.
But it was a day to forget for the Toon Army as their team lost 2-0, heaping even more pressure on manager Alan Pardew.
And it may well be that left full-back Dummett will need to stay put at St James’ Park for the time being due to their personnel problems.
Any temporary move back to Paisley will be dependent on whether or not Magpies gaffer Pardew can draft in experienced defenders to bolster his squad.
That would leave Dummett with the chance to rejoin his Buddies until the end of the season.
However, a deal would have to be done before the transfer window slams shut on Thursday, January 31.
Saints chief executive Brian Caldwell said: “There’s still a good chance that Paul will come back up and rejoin us.
“Our understanding is that Newcastle United want to bring in defenders to help with their current injury problems and if that happens, we hope that will enable Paul to come back and rejoin us.
“Under FIFA rules, you’re not allowed to play for three different clubs in one season, so if Paul doesn’t play for Newcastle again this season, then he still has the option of coming back to us.”
