Newcastle United quintet, James Tavernier, Michael Richardson, Paul Dummett, Connor Newton and Bradden Inman have all signed new contract extensions today on their return to pre-season training.

Dummett, Inman and Newton, all graduates from the Little Benton Academy and have previously been included in matchday squads but none are yet to have made their senior debut, have signed one-year contract extensions.

Richardson was signed to the Academy in July, 2010 from non-league club Walker Central and has made a handful of appearances on the bench since, failing also to make his senior debut for the club, however in 2011 he made 3 appearances for Leyton Orient during a one-month loan spell with the League One club. He too has extended his contract with the club for a further year.

Most notably, however, James Tavernier has signed a 3-year contract extension as he sets his sights on breaking into the first-team in the upcoming season. Tavernier, 20, has made 2 appearances for the Newcastle United first team to date, both coming in Carling Cup fixtures against Peterborough and Accrington Stanley respectively. Tavernier has also spent time on loan in the past two seasons at Gateshead, Carlisle, Sheffield Wednesday and most recently the MK:Dons, totalling 50 appearances.

Speaking to the Newcastle United official website, had the following to say regarding his future with the club;

“It’s a massive year and it’s just about getting really at it from the start – from now – because my main aim is to really push on and get in this team next year” “There’s obviously going to be more chances for all the young lads that are coming through so it is obviously a big step where we maybe can play in those games and make an impact.

There’s plenty of games coming up and obviously the European qualifiers, so there are plenty of games around the corner and hopefully I can get a chance in one of those games, have a really good game and show that I can actually be in this team.”

Tavernier added that he would not have any apprehension towards another loan-spell;

“Pre-season is going to determine that and I’m going to speak to the gaffer, if, football-wise, I can make the next step up and maybe have a season-long loan in the Championship and really set my stall out there or I can fight for a place here, I will.”