Newcastle United are being forced into difficult decisions as an already thin defensive situation becomes even more fragile. A growing list of injuries has left Eddie Howe short of natural options at the back, to the point where teenagers and makeshift solutions have become necessary in recent matches.
The situation has underlined how close the club is to a full-blown defensive crisis and why January plans are now under serious threat.
In recent weeks, Newcastle have had to improvise in ways that would normally be unthinkable for a side aiming to remain competitive at Premier League level. Nineteen-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley has been asked to operate at right-back, while Under-21 defender Alex Murphy has been used on the left as the club carefully manages Lewis Hall’s workload following his return from injury.
These decisions are not part of a long-term tactical experiment but rather a reflection of how limited Newcastle’s options have become.
Because of this shortage, the club has been quietly exploring emergency solutions ahead of the January transfer window. One idea that gained real traction was the possibility of recalling Matt Targett from his loan spell at Middlesbrough.
Targett has spent the season in the Championship after slipping down the pecking order at St James’ Park, with Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and even Dan Burn all preferred ahead of him at left-back. With minutes hard to come by on Tyneside, a loan move was seen as the best option for both player and club.
At Middlesbrough, Targett has enjoyed a rare run of consistent football. The 30-year-old has made 18 appearances so far, scoring twice and playing a key role in a side currently sitting second in the Championship and pushing hard for promotion.
His form has been strong enough to put him back on Newcastle’s radar at a time when defensive reinforcements are badly needed.
Eddie Howe has already confirmed that Newcastle inserted a recall clause into Targett’s loan deal and did not hide the fact that it could be activated if the situation worsens.
Speaking openly about the club’s lack of options, Howe admitted that Newcastle are operating in “dangerous territory” defensively and suggested there are very few alternatives left if injuries continue to mount.
While he stressed that a final decision would be made closer to the recall deadline, his comments made it clear the idea was being seriously considered.
However, those plans have now been thrown into doubt by another injury setback. On Boxing Day, Targett was forced off during Middlesbrough’s goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers after picking up a knock.
Given his history with injuries, the sight of him limping off was a worrying one, not just for Boro but also for Newcastle, who were monitoring his situation closely.
Targett’s career at Newcastle has been badly disrupted by fitness issues, with this loan spell representing his first sustained run of matches since his permanent move from Aston Villa in 2022. Any spell on the sidelines now could rule him out of contention for an immediate recall and remove one of Newcastle’s few realistic short-term solutions.
Middlesbrough are dealing with their own injury problems and are understandably keen to keep hold of Targett, especially given his influence when fit. While there is hope that his injury is not serious, early indications suggest he could miss several weeks, which would complicate any January decision.
Boro head coach Kim Hellberg has urged patience, explaining that it is too early to assess the full extent of the issue and whether it will significantly impact their defensive plans.
Hellberg has also moved quickly to play down speculation linking Targett with an early return to Newcastle. He has made it clear that, from his perspective, the defender remains an important part of his squad and someone he expects to be around for the remainder of the season.
The praise from the Middlesbrough boss has been glowing, highlighting Targett’s intelligence, movement, quality on the ball and excellent left foot. Hellberg even pointed out that Targett’s ability to fill in at centre-back has been an added bonus, underlining his value to the team.
Perhaps most telling is Hellberg’s belief that Targett looks happy and settled at the Riverside Stadium. From training ground interactions to matchday performances, the coach insists nothing suggests a player preparing for a mid-season exit.
That sense of comfort and regular football is something Targett has lacked for much of his time at Newcastle.
Looking ahead, Targett’s long-term future at St James’ Park already appears decided. He is out of contract at the end of the season and is widely expected to be released, with no new deal on the table.
His performances at Middlesbrough, assuming he returns from injury in good time, should help him attract interest and secure a permanent move in the summer.
For Newcastle, the situation highlights the fine margins they are currently walking. An emergency January plan that once looked sensible is now hanging by a thread due to another injury blow. With defensive depth stretched to its limits and few easy fixes available, Eddie Howe and the club’s recruitment team may yet be forced back to the drawing board as they try to navigate a challenging second half of the season.
