PFA training camp – Former Newcastle United star opens up on struggles since leaving NUFC | OneFootball

Former Newcastle United star Paul Dummett has opened up about his struggles since leaving St James’ Park.

The Geordie defender says he was caught out when it took far longer than he anticipated to sort a new club.

He finally went to Wigan on a very short-term contract in November 2024 and then once on the market again in January 2025, Paul Dummett went to Carlisle. Only to swiftly pick up a bad injury.

Still only 33, Dummett is now training at the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) pre-season camp as he looks for his next move.

“When I left Newcastle United I didn’t think I would still be without a club when the [Summer 2024] transfer window closed.

“It was a difficult time, an uncertain time for me.

“When I left there and didn’t have a club, I was fortunate enough to be allowed to train with the Under 21s.

“That helped me stay fit, so I was in a decent position when I went to Wigan.

“I wasn’t match fit, which wasn’t ideal, but I was still in an OK position after having trained most days.

“The most difficult part at Wigan was that the team wasn’t [named] until two hours before kick-off.

“So I never got the opportunity to try and work as hard as I could on a Thursday and Friday, if I knew I wasn’t going to be playing.

“I found myself not getting into the rhythm of trying to get fitter and fitter and playing some games.

“In the end, I didn’t play much and ended up going to Carlisle in January [2025], then pulling my hamstring the first game I was there.

“A bit of a disaster season for me really.