Eddie Howe namechecks shock Newcastle United January transfer 'option' - rival club desperate to keep him
Newcastle United transfers: Eddie Howe has once again addressed talk of a potential return for Matt Targett this month.
Eddie Howe still hasn’t ruled out a potential loan return for Newcastle United left-back Matt Targett, who is currently at Middlesbrough.
Targett has been enjoying an impressive season on Teesside as he’s helped Boro’s 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.
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The problem has seen Howe turn to 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley as a defensive solution at right-back and, more recently, centre-back.
But Newcastle’s injury issues at full-back are starting to clear up with Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento all returning to the matchday squad. Sven Botman has also returned to action at centre-back, which leaves Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles unavailable.
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“Yeah, it's not ideal for us,” Howe said. “We have been stretched in that area for a while, and then we get Sven back and we lose Fabian, and Fabian's been outstanding for us, and it's a huge blow.
“Dan was given a time frame that I think will roughly end up being the time frame. I'm not sure how much we can shave off that with the type of injury that he's got, but he's making good progress. He's running, he's out on the grass, he's here every day, and Dan will be very keen to push himself back, but I think it's one that we have to be careful with.”
Eddie Howe addresses Matt Targett potential return once again
Despite Newcastle’s injury situation easing at full-back, Howe wouldn’t completely rule out a return for Targett this month.
But The Magpies boss did admit that the club would listen to the players wishes as well. It’s understood Targett’s preference would be remain at Boro, where he is currently a first-team regular, opposed to returning to Newcastle as an emergency back-up option.
“All options that are available to us, we're reflecting and trying to make the right call,” Howe explained. “I think with Matt, there's not just our wants and needs, there's his as well and we have to balance both. So, yeah, let's see what happens.”
The 30-year-old has made 23 appearances for Middlesbrough this season, contributing two goals and two assists to the side currently sitting second in the Championship table. Boro boss Kim Hellberg has also played down the chances of Targett leaving the club and returning to Newcastle this month.
He said: “I count on him being here and that's all I know on that question. I'm trying not to think about losing him.”
Targett is out of contract at Newcastle at the end of the season and is unlikely to be offered a new deal at the club. The impact of his loan spell returning to regular first-team football at Boro will help him secure a permanent summer move after his anticipated release on June 30.