Newcastle United are facing one of their toughest periods of the season as injuries continue to pile up, leaving Eddie Howe with very limited defensive options.
What was once an area of depth has suddenly become a problem position, forcing the club to consider solutions they may not have planned to use so early in the campaign.
One of those options is the possibility of recalling Matt Targett in January, a move that could have big consequences for both Newcastle and Middlesbrough.
The scale of Newcastle’s defensive issues was laid bare during the recent 2-2 draw with Chelsea at St James’ Park. On that afternoon, Howe had just three senior defenders available to start the match.
Malick Thiaw, Fabian Schär and Lewis Hall were the only fit options, a situation that underlined how stretched the squad has become. Several key defenders are currently sidelined, including Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman and Dan Burn.
With so many players unavailable at the same time, it is no surprise that the club are exploring every possible solution.
There is some hope on the horizon, as Newcastle expect a few of those injured players to return in the coming weeks. Trippier and Krafth are both targeting comebacks around the turn of the year after being out since the November international break.
The club are also optimistic that Livramento and Burn could be back by mid-January if their recoveries continue as planned. Even so, Howe has admitted that if things do not improve quickly enough, he may have little choice but to activate the recall clause in Targett’s loan deal.
Speaking openly after Newcastle’s Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Fulham, Howe did not hide his concern. He explained that the decision over Targett would be made closer to the deadline, but made it clear that his options are running out.
He admitted the team is operating in dangerous territory and hinted that there are not many more short-term fixes available if injuries continue to disrupt the squad.
Howe also confirmed that no discussions have yet taken place with either Middlesbrough or Targett himself, preferring to let the player focus on his football for now.
From Middlesbrough’s point of view, losing Targett would be a major setback at a crucial stage of their season. The left-back has been a key part of their promotion push and has featured in 19 of their 22 league matches so far.
Boro currently sit second in the Championship table and are firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion. Targett’s experience, composure and consistency have been vital in keeping them competitive.
Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg has now spoken publicly about the situation, making it clear that he is expecting Targett to remain at the club for the rest of the campaign.
Hellberg admitted he is trying not to think about the possibility of losing the defender and stressed how important he has been whenever selected. He praised Targett’s movement, his quality on the ball and his intelligence, highlighting his excellent left foot as a key asset to the team.
Hellberg also pointed out that Targett has shown impressive versatility during his time at Middlesbrough. In addition to playing at left-back, he has stepped in at centre-back when needed and performed to a high standard.
For a manager chasing promotion, having a player who can adapt to different roles while maintaining performance levels is invaluable. Beyond his footballing qualities, Hellberg also described Targett as a very good character who fits in well with the squad and appears to be enjoying his football.
Despite the uncertainty, Hellberg insisted that nothing has changed from his perspective. When he watches Targett train, play and interact with teammates, he sees a player who looks settled and happy. That gives Middlesbrough hope that Newcastle may decide against recalling him, especially if their injured defenders return on schedule.
For Newcastle, the decision will come down to necessity. With Targett’s contract on Tyneside due to expire in the summer, recalling him could offer short-term cover without committing to a long-term solution. However, it would also disrupt a player who is enjoying regular football and playing a key role elsewhere.
As January approaches, Newcastle’s defensive situation will be closely monitored. If injuries ease, Targett may be allowed to continue his season at Middlesbrough. If not, Eddie Howe may be forced into a difficult call, one that could shape Newcastle’s defensive stability and Middlesbrough’s promotion hopes in the months ahead.
