Newcastle United bombshell January plan threatened by fresh injury blow - player set to leave in 2026
Newcastle United transfers: An emergency January transfer plan for Eddie Howe has been scuppered by yet another injury.
Newcastle United have been dealt yet another injury blow, just not in the usual sense.
The Magpies have been dealt a series of injuries in recent weeks, particularly in defence. Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Dan Burn, Sven Botman and Tino Livramento have all been ruled out until early 2026.
It has left Newcastle and head coach Eddie Howe with a lack of defensive options in recent matches, with 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley having to fill in at right-back. Under-21s defender Alex Murphy has also got on the pitch at left-back as Lewis Hall’s load gets managed, having only recently returned from an injury layoff himself.
The lack of full-back options for Newcastle has seen the club consider an emergency solution in January.
Newcastle United address January move
The Magpies have been considering a potential recall for Matt Targett from his loan spell at Middlesbrough.
Targett had fallen down the pecking order at Newcastle at left-back with the emergence of Livramento, Hall and even Burn as an option in that position.
Given his lack of game time on Tyneside, the defender was loaned out to Championship side Middlesbrough for the season.
Howe confirmed Newcastle have an option to recall Targett in January and wouldn’t rule out the possibility of it happening.
The left-back has been enjoying a positive spell at Boro so far this season. The 30-year-old has scored twice in 18 appearances for a side currently sitting second in the Championship table and pushing for promotion.
“Yeah, we'll make that decision closer to the date where we have to,” Howe told The Gazette. “But certainly, at the moment, I don't have many more rabbits to pull out of the hat, to be honest [in defensive options]. We're in dangerous territory, so, let's see.”
Newcastle are hoping to have more clarity on their defensive situation in the coming weeks with several players on course to return to action.
“Let him concentrate on his football,” Howe later said on Targett. “We'll have those conversations [regarding a recall] if and when we need to.”
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Matt Targett suffers injury blow
Targett has suffered badly with various injury issues in recent seasons with his loan spell and 19 appearances for Middlesbrough this season his only consistent run of matches since his permanent move to Newcastle in 2022.
But Targett, Middlesbrough and potentially Newcastle were dealt a blow on Boxing Day when Targett limped off during the 0-0 draw against Blackburn Rovers.
Boro are suffering from an injury crisis themselves and will be keen to keep hold of Targett. While the left-back’s injury could keep him out for several weeks and effectively rule out a potential January recall to Newcastle, Middlesbrough are hopeful the issue is not serious.
Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg explained: “We will have to see about the defensive situation. We will have to see how the players are.
"Hopefully, they are not that serious and the situation is not too dangerous, but we will have to wait and see. Right now, it's too early to say."
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Middlesbrough boss addresses Matt Targett speculation
Hellberg has also played down the suggestion of Targett leaving Boro in January.
“I count on him being here and that's all I know on that question. I'm trying not to think about losing him,” Hellberg said.
“What I can tell you is that when he's played, he's been very, very good. He's been top with his movement, top with the ball. He's a very intelligent player with a brilliant left foot so he's been fantastic.
“And he also showed that he could play centre-back. That was brilliant from him, so he's been terrific. He's a very nice guy.
“I would say it's looking the same to me. When I talk to him, when I look at him, I see him play, when I see him with the boys, when I see him on the pitch, he looks like he enjoys his time here.”