NEWCASTLE United will be boosted by the return of Paul Dummett and Mikel Merino when they attempt to end a three-game losing run against Watford this weekend.

Dummett has been sidelined since damaging his hamstrings in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on the opening weekend of the season, while Merino has missed the last three matches with a back problem.

The Magpies will still be without skipper Jamaal Lascelles and winger Christian Atsu this weekend, as the pair remain some way away from a first-team return.

However, Rafael Benitez is pleased to have Dummett and Merino back in the fold, with the pair having participated in a series of training sessions this week.

“Lascelles is getting better, but still he will need some time, and Atsu is the same,” said Benitez, who has seen his side slip into the bottom half of the Premier League table in recent weeks. “It is too early to say (when they will be available).

“But Merino has been doing part of the training session, and Dummett has done the full training session, so that is positive news for us.”

Newcastle have missed both players, and there is a good chance they could both be promoted straight back into the starting line-up when Watford visit Tyneside.

Benitez initially fielded Chancel Mbemba at left-back in Dummett’s absence, before switching to Javier Manquillo in recent weeks. The former Sunderland defender performed creditably in his first few outings in a black-and-white shirt, but was all at sea at the weekend as Manchester United caused a succession of problems in their 4-1 win at Old Trafford.

Manquillo lost Chris Smalling as the centre-half headed in Manchester United’s second goal, and struggled against the pace and movement of Marcus Rashford as Newcastle were repeatedly undone in the second half.

Dummett was Newcastle’s first-choice left-back last season as they claimed the Championship title, and has also played under Benitez in the Premier League.

Merino was on the substitutes’ bench for the matches against Southampton and Crystal Palace that preceded his injury – he came on to score the winner against the Eagles - and Benitez could name his fellow Spaniard amongst the replacements again this weekend.

However, while Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey have combined effectively on occasion, neither were at the best last weekend, with Hayden missing an excellent opportunity at the end of the first half and Shelvey struggling to find his range with his trademark long passes.

“I think it’s important to have players coming back,” Benitez told Newcastle's official website. “With Merino, he was doing so well and the fans were so excited. If he is okay, it will be a big boost for everyone because you always need quality.

“Dummett is important for us because he is one of the only left-footed full-backs that we have. He is someone who has some experience too, and will give us more competition and different options.

Meanwhile, the date for Newcastle’s Northumberland Senior Cup quarter-final with National League North side Blyth Spartans has been set for Friday, December 22.