Paul Dummett may still be just 30 but he is now the most experienced player at Newcastle United these days. Magpies boss Eddie Howe opted against Dummett's contract running down and made the shrewd decision to keep him around for at least another season.
It's now more than a decade since he found himself thrown in at the deep end in 2011 on the club's tour of the United States when he played away at Columbus Crew in a 3-0 win.
Dummett was just 19 then, but will now be on hand to pass on good advice to the likes of Elliot Anderson and Kell Watts.
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Like Dummett both had excellent loan spells away from Newcastle last season and played regular football at Wigan and Bristol Rovers last season, both winning promotion.
Watts has more than 100 senior appearances under his belt and, like Dummett, was not afraid to go out on loan.
Dummett served Newcastle with 40 appearances for St Mirren and Gateshead to lay the foundations for his Toon career while others in the Academy scoffed at the idea of playing in the old Conference.
It's no wonder Howe sees him as an example and has kept him in the squad this season while also dangling the carrot of an extension at the end of this term.
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