Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe wants to retain Paul Dummett beyond this season.
The Geordie defender's current deal expires at the end of the season but Howe suggested that he would be offered a new contract when asked directly about the player's future.
Dummett is understood to have been fully fit since the season restarted after the World Cup but has been unable to find a way into Howe's defence.
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The long serving defender almost got a cameo against Southampton but the ball did not go out of play in stoppage time and he was denied a win bonus. But Howe is keen to give him more opportunities for Newcastle when the time is right.
Howe, speaking at his press conference, said: "Paul has been really good actually. Fitness wise it's the best I've seen him, he hasn't missed a day in a long while.
"I think any player benefits from that consistency. He's a very good player, Paul. The beauty of him is he can play a couple of positions for us, left-back or centre-half. "It's great to have a player to have that experience and ability.
"Yes, he hasn't had that opportunity yet to get in the team because of the consistency of other players but he's somebody we value very highly as a player, person and professional.
"I wanted to get him on the pitch but time ran out (vs Southampton). It was just a little show from me that he is very valued here."
Speaking about Dummett's contract situation, Howe said: "Very much so (he could stay). I see Paul as part of our future.
"When you build a squad you are never going to be able to play everybody for the amount of time they want to. So you need players who are prepared to fight for their place, train well and have an effect on the group.
"Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett, they are players who have not performed for the outside world, but internally they have been excellent for us."
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