Newcastle United are quietly preparing for what could become one of their most surprising moves of the January transfer window, with the club seriously weighing up the possibility of recalling Matt Targett from his loan spell at Middlesbrough.
While no final decision has been made, the situation inside Eddie Howe’s squad has changed quickly, and circumstances may soon force the club’s hand.
At the start of the season, Targett’s future at St James’ Park looked uncertain. The experienced left-back had slipped down the pecking order following the rise of Tino Livramento, the continued development of Lewis Hall, and the manager’s willingness to use Dan Burn on the left side of defence when needed.
With minutes hard to come by and competition fierce, a loan move to Middlesbrough made sense for all parties. It offered Targett regular football and allowed Newcastle to trim their squad while trusting they had enough cover at full-back.
However, football has a habit of changing plans very quickly. In recent weeks, Newcastle have been hit hard by injuries across their defensive line, particularly in the full-back areas. Livramento, Hall, Burn, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth have all spent time on the treatment table, leaving Howe with very limited options.
The situation became so stretched that teenage midfielder Lewis Miley was forced to start at right-back, while Under-21 defender Alex Murphy was introduced during the Carabao Cup win over Fulham to plug the gaps. It was a clear sign that Newcastle were operating in risky territory.
Although Lewis Hall returned to action in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea, easing the pressure slightly, the wider problem has not disappeared. One more injury could leave Newcastle dangerously short of experienced defenders, especially during a packed run of fixtures.
That reality is what has reignited talk of Targett’s return, despite the original plan being for him to stay at Middlesbrough for the full season.
When asked directly about recalling the defender, Eddie Howe did little to shut down the speculation. Instead, he spoke honestly about the strain his squad is under and admitted the club will reassess the situation when the time comes.
Newcastle do have a recall clause built into Targett’s loan deal, which can be activated in January if required. Howe made it clear that his options are already limited and hinted that he may have no choice but to act if the defensive crisis continues.
Targett’s form at Middlesbrough has only strengthened the argument for bringing him back. The 30-year-old has enjoyed a strong spell on Teesside, scoring twice in 18 appearances and playing a key role for a side currently sitting second in the Championship and pushing hard for promotion.
His performances have shown he still has plenty to offer at a high level, both defensively and going forward. Importantly, he has also demonstrated his versatility by filling in at centre-back, which could prove valuable for Newcastle during a congested winter schedule.
Despite this, Middlesbrough are understandably keen to keep hold of him. Their manager, Kim Hellberg, has spoken warmly about Targett’s impact and has made it clear that he is planning as if the defender will remain with the club.
Hellberg praised Targett’s intelligence, movement, and quality on the ball, describing him as a top professional who has fitted in well with the squad. From his perspective, there has been nothing to suggest the player is unsettled or looking for a quick return to Newcastle.
This creates a delicate situation. On one hand, Newcastle must prioritise their own needs and protect themselves from further defensive problems.
On the other, Targett is enjoying regular football and appears settled at a club where he is valued and trusted. Recalling him would disrupt Middlesbrough’s promotion push and potentially pull the player away from a positive environment.
Ultimately, the decision will come down to necessity rather than desire. If Newcastle’s injury list shortens and defensive bodies return on schedule, Targett may be allowed to continue his loan uninterrupted.
But if setbacks occur, or if Howe feels the squad is being stretched too thin, the recall clause could quickly be activated. For now, Newcastle are watching closely, fully aware that January could force them into a move they never planned to make.
