Dummett leaned on old friend to secure Carlisle move

Paul Dummett (left) and Mike Williamson (right) spent three seasons together in the Newcastle first-team

New Carlisle United defender Paul Dummett directly got in touch with head coach Mike Williamson to enquire about the possibility to joining him at Brunton Park.

Dummett has signed a contract until the end of the season with the League Two club after his short-term deal with Wigan Athletic expired.

The 33-year-old only left Newcastle United last summer where he had been a team-mate of Williamson for a number of years.

"I played with Mike in the past and I sent him a message asking if he was interested in taking me," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"This was a project I wanted to be part of. I know the league position isn't great at the moment, but it's a challenge that I relish."

Dummett joined Wigan in November, but he did not play more than 45 minutes in any of his five appearances with the League One club.

So he reached out to his old St James' Park colleague in a bid to extend his career.

Now the 33-year-old, who played 151 Premier League games for Newcastle and won five caps for Wales, is plunged into a League Two relegation battle.

But he is hoping to draw on memories from life at the top to help a Carlisle side currently seven points adrift of safety at the foot of the EFL.

"I've played in the top flight against some of the best players in the world, so hopefully that experience I've got, I can bring that to the team and help them as much as possible," he added.