Newcastle United 'delighted' after injury boost - Ross Wilson negotiating move for January alternative
Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City: Lewis Hall impressed for The Magpies despite the Carabao Cup defeat at St James’ Park.
On a frustrating night of Carabao Cup action for Newcastle United at St James’ Park, Lewis Hall was one of the big positives.
The Magpies were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg with goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki. It’s the first time Newcastle have lost a match in the competition in 90 minutes since the 2023 final defeat to Manchester United.
It also ended a run of 12 straight wins at St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup as well as a 13 game unbeaten run at home this season.
Newcastle will now have to do something they’ve never done under Eddie Howe in order to reach the Carabao Cup final, score and win at the Etihad Stadium - and even then, it may not be enough. The last time Newcastle beat Manchester City by two clear goals was in the League Cup in 2014 at the Etihad Stadium thanks to goals from Rolando Aarons and Moussa Sissoko.
That remains Newcastle’s only ever win at Manchester City’s ground.
Newcastle United injury boost - Eddie Howe ‘delighted’
While Newcastle have been struggling with defensive injuries over the past month, the side have been boosted by Hall’s return to fitness at left-back.
The 21-year-old missed the majority of 2025 due to injury and has suffered with subsequent fitness issues since.
But Hall has been in fine form since his return to playing regularly once again, proving himself as one of Newcastle’s most important players.
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“We're delighted he's back fit,” Howe admitted. “He's such an important player. He brings a real attacking drive from the left-back position.
“A real technically excellent player. I think he's improving all the time so we're pleased he's back with us. We need to try and keep him fit if we can.
“He's got a big responsibility to try and play as many games as he can and help the team, which I know he will do.He's got a huge future ahead of him.”
Keeping Hall fit and available will require managing his minutes carefully amid a busy fixture schedule. But Newcastle lack alternatives at the moment with Tino Livramento, Dan Burn and Emil Krafth all currently out injured.
The lack of options has Newcastle considering a surprise January move for a familiar left-back to help support Hall and keep him fit and available.
NUFC in talks to recall Matt Targett - decision ‘very soon’
Newcastle 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.
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 just over a week to make a decision on whether to recall the 30-year-old and bolster their defensive options, or leave Targett at Middlesbrough.
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.”