Steve Bruce reveals why he had to take off Paul Dummett in Newcastle United defeat

Steve Bruce has revealed why he had to take Paul Dummett off at Bramall Lane.
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Dummett, back from the long-term hamstring injury which had sidelined him for much of last year, was forced off before Billy Sharp scored a dispute penalty in last night’s 1-0 defeat to previously-winless Sheffield United.

The defender – who had played 120 minutes against Arsenal at the weekend – was replaced by Matt Ritchie in the 74th minute.

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“I think it’s probably more fatigue than anything else,” said head coach Bruce, who insisted that he would “never, ever walk away from a challenge” after the game. “With Matt Ritchie having not 100% either, it was a difficult one. I think he’s OK. It’s more a fatigue thing, a cramp thing, than anything too serious.”

Meanwhile, winger Ryan Fraser will miss the Arsenal game on January 18 through suspension after being dismissed for two bookable offences at Bramall Lane.

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