Ross Wilson in talks to trigger Newcastle United January transfer clause - contact made & decision 'very soon'
Newcastle United transfers: Ross Wilson is now involved in the potential recall of Matt Targett from his loan spell at Middlesbrough this month.
Newcastle United are considering a potential recall for Matt Targett from his loan spell at Middlesbrough with a decision set to be made ‘very soon’.
Targett has been enjoying a solid season on Teesside as he’s helped Boro’s Championship promotion charge playing both at left-back and even centre-back when needed.
But a recent injury crisis at Newcastle has seen the club discuss triggering a recall in Targett’s loan. Every Newcastle defender except Malick Thiaw has struggled with injury over the festive period.
Newcastle inserted a recall option in Targett’s loan at Middlesbrough that can be triggered before the final full week of the transfer window. It gives The Magpies less than a fortnight to make a decision on whether to recall the 30-year-old and bolster their defensive options, or leave Targett at Middlesbrough.
NUFC’s defensive crisis
Newcastle were hit with a fresh full-back injury blow against Bournemouth on Saturday as Tino Livramento was forced off with a hamstring injury. The issue followed Fabian Schar’s ankle injury picked up against Leeds United in the previous match.
Both players are facing an extended spell on the sidelines, though no timescale has been given for their return as they await further assessment.
“No major update for you,” Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe explained in Monday’s press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City. “[Livramento] will be having a [hamstring] scan I think today at some point and we'll understand the extent of the damage.”
On Schar, Howe added: “Yes, again, we'll have to wait and see. We need to know the full extent of the injury first and then we'll have to make decisions based in line with what we know on other injuries and timescales and returns.
“Yes, of course, the transfer window plays into that.”
Newcastle are still without Dan Burn for at least another ‘couple of weeks’ according to Howe, while Jamaal Lascelles could leave the club this month and is currently training away from the first team. Emil Krafth has no clear return date after two months out with a knee injury.
Newcastle have just four fit senior defenders heading into one of their most important games of the season. Malick Thiaw has started each of the last 26 games for Newcastle and played 120 minutes on Saturday along with Sven Botman, who has only just returned from an injury absence.
Kieran Trippier has also just returned from injury and Lewis Hall’s fitness will have to be monitored carefully after missing the majority of 2025 due to injury.
The problem has seen Howe turn to 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley to solve some of Newcastle’s defensive problems. But any more solutions may have to be found in the transfer market.
In addition to signing players, Newcastle could avoid spending money and still bolster their options by recalling Targett.
Both Middlesbrough and Targett are understandably keen to avoid a recall, Newcastle’s hand may be forced if the injury or transfer situation doesn’t improve.
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Eddie Howe confirms Matt Targett deadline
When asked about a potential recall for Targett following Livramento’s injury, Howe confirmed that the club have a ‘cut-off point’ to make a decision and that sporting director Ross Wilson is on the case.
“I believe there's a cut-off point [to recall Targett],” Howe said. “But I think Ross has been in regular dialogue with Matt's agent. We'll make a decision on that very soon.”
Newcastle host Man City in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at St James’ Park on Tuesday night (8pm kick-off) before returning to Premier League action at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.