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Rafa Benitez is to go from a defensive headache to joy as the international break ends with Paul Dummett returning from injury.

The key Newcastle United left-back has missed the Tyneside club’s last two fixtures, at home to Leicester City and away to Manchester United, with the Magpies going on to lose both ties.

Dummett initially still faced an international call-up for UEFA Nations League matches over the break, but pulled out of Ryan Giggs’ Wales squad without playing a minute in order to receive further treatment to his hamstring strain.

The return of Dummett will bring joy to Benitez, as the Spaniard will have a key figure in the St James’ Park ranks back amongst his options for the visit of Brighton to the northeast.

Premier Injuries mark the Newcastle born defender at a 75% chance of playing at the weekend for the Toon, who called on his services in every game this season until injury struck.

Kenedy dances past Tottenham's Serge Aurier

Returning ever-present

Having been an ever-present member of Benitez’s team this season before developing the thigh injury, his absence triggered a question for the Spaniard on who could feature in his place.

The 22-year-old Kenedy initially stepped in at left-back having previously been utilised in midfield, but this lasted just one match before right-back Manquillo was brought in to the fold in his place.

The makeshift nature of Dummett’s replacements highlights the need at Newcastle for the Welshman’s return, with no clear alternative at the ready.

Should Newcastle find themselves in a repeat of last year, when the man capped three times by his country was ruled out for 16 matches through a hamstring injury, the January market must be used on Tyneside.

Rafael Benitez shouts orders from the touchline during Newcastle United v Leicester City

Rare to be a short absence

Dummett’s two-match hiatus signals a glimmer of fortune at St James’ Park, for all but one of the Welshman’s previous spells out have proved lengthy.

The 16-match  spell on the sidelines last season was the 27-year-old’s fifth hamstring injury of his career, having also suffered an injury to his knee back in 2015.

Excluding his current absence, 292 days have passed with the left-back unable to play, missing 33 matches in total.

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