NEWCASTLE UNITED will consider a January move for Jetro Willems if the full-back is able to prove his wellbeing before the turn of the year.

The Magpies suffered a defensive setback earlier this week when it was revealed that Paul Dummett had suffered a hamstring injury that is likely to sideline him until the start of next year.

Dummett has not been involved with Newcastle’s first team since suffering tendon damage during January’s draw with Wolves. That kept him out of the remainder of last season, before a muscular issue picked up during pre-season ruled him out of the opening two months of the current campaign.

Dummett had returned to full training, with an appearance for Newcastle’s Under-23s representing another significant step on the road to senior action, but a hamstring injury has halted his comeback in its tracks.

The Wales international is now set to be sidelined for at least six weeks, effectively ruling him out of featuring for Newcastle’s first team in the remainder of 2020.

His absence leaves Steve Bruce short of natural cover for Jamal Lewis at left-back, and has led to renewed speculation over a possible move for Willems, who spent the first half of last season on loan at St James’ Park from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Willems made a positive impression in the opening five months of last season, establishing himself as Newcastle’s first-choice left-back and scoring memorable goals against Liverpool and Manchester City, but his loan ended prematurely after he suffered a serious knee injury in January.

He returned to his permanent employers and has not been seen since, but he is back on the training ground, approaching full fitness, and is known to be keen to return to Tyneside to complete what he regards as unfinished business.

Steve Bruce kept in touch with the Dutchman during the early stages of his recovery, and has continued to keep abreast of his recovery programme.

Willems is in the final year of his current contract at Eintracht Frankfurt, and is extremely unlikely to be offered a new deal with the Bundesliga club.

There is the potential for Newcastle to strike a deal in January, and the ongoing concerns over Dummett’s fitness will encourage Magpies officials to get in touch with their counterparts in Frankfurt to assess their options.

Newcastle return to action when they host Chelsea this weekend, and Frank Lampard’s side are set to be without Kai Havertz, who has only recently recovered from Covid, and Christian Pulisic, who has a hamstring injury.