ALAN PARDEW has shored up his defensive options after injuries to Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini by calling youngster Remie Streete back from his loan at Port Vale.

Streete, who made three appearances for the League One outfit, returned to the Magpies’ Benton base today, where he will spend the duration of the international break before being in contention for Newcastle’s next Premier League game against Queens Park Rangers.

Newcastle’s move to bring the 20-year-old back to Tyneside comes after Coloccini limped off in the 2-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion, a game in which Taylor did not feature. The club are confident that Taylor will be fit for QPR, however.

In his stead, Paul Dummett performed admirably in the centre-half position, and the 23-year-old would like an extended run in the team in his new role.

Dummett, a left-back by trade, was shunted into the centre in Newcastle’s unexpected Capital One Cup win at Manchester City and reprised that role at The Hawthorns, where he and Coloccini kept another clean sheet.

And Dummett admitted he relished the battle up against Saido Berahino, who could receive his first senior cap for England this week.

"He was always going to be a tricky player; he's quick and he gets shots off early and I think he had a couple of chances but not many to cause us too many problems," said Dummett, who is on international duty with Wales ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifier against Belgium.

"I think as a team we did well to stop him from causing us problems. (Victor) Anichebe's a big, strong lad and I think we coped with him well.

"It was a terrific team performance. It's five wins on the bounce now and we were delighted to keep a clean sheet.

"I do enjoy it at centre-back. In the two games I've played there this season, we've kept clean sheets so that can only give us confidence to build on and go into the next game after the international break."

Newcastle’s Premier League turnaround owes much to steadier defensive foundations, with Pardew’s side conceding just one in their last five competitive games, and Dummett feels a solid base is essential if they are to continue their excellent form.

"I think that's where it starts," he said.

"The teamwork has always been there but I think with a solid back four and solid midfield, and the pace we've got in attack, it's causing other teams problems and it's getting us wins.

"For me, I've just got to do my best in any position that the manager tells me to play in, so I'm happy to play anywhere."

Dummett’s versatility is a boost for Newcastle, and will also impress Wales manager Chris Coleman, who is likely to add to Dummett’s one cap in the near future.

Dummett added: "The manager watches the games and hopefully I get a chance in the games coming up, if not the next game against Belgium then the games after that.

"We're doing well at the moment – we're top of the group with seven points. Belgium's going to be a really tough game but hopefully we can get a win there.”