NUFC defender was banned from training due to anti-doping rules

The life of a professional footballer is often portrayed as a constant highlight reel of glory and success, but for many players, the reality is a challenging journey filled with setbacks that test their resilience.

Few understand this better than Matt Targett, the Newcastle United defender whose time on Tyneside has been a story of incredible highs followed by frustrating obstacles, ultimately leading to a fresh start on loan with Middlesbrough for the 2025-26 season.

Targett’s Newcastle story began with so much promise. His initial loan move in January 2022 was an instant success; he became a crucial part of the team’s fight for Premier League survival, earning a permanent £15 million transfer the following summer.

For a player and a club, it felt like the perfect match. He started the next season in the lineup, but a minor injury opened the door for others, and the team embarked on such an impressive run that reclaiming his spot became increasingly difficult.

This was the beginning of a challenging period where opportunity and timing never quite aligned.

Reflecting on his three years at the club, Targett speaks with a sense of perspective. “Honestly, it’s difficult,” he admits. “When I first went there on loan, it was incredible… Then a couple more big injuries.

Highs and lows.” Despite limited playing time, he was there for landmark moments—making a Champions League appearance and being part of the squad that lifted the Carabao Cup.

While his personal contribution on the pitch was smaller than he would have liked, he takes pride in having witnessed the team’s remarkable rise up close.

The physical challenges he faced were significant. A devastating hamstring injury just five minutes into a Carabao Cup tie against Manchester United in November 2023 required surgery and began a long and lonely road to recovery.

Just as he was nearing a return, he suffered another setback a tear in his Achilles that added several more months to his rehabilitation. For any athlete, consecutive serious injuries are a brutal test of mental strength.

Perhaps the most surprising and frustrating hurdle came from an unexpected source. Last September, a severe flare-up of eczema left him in need of medication that contained substances prohibited under the FA’s anti-doping regulations.

This meant that even though he was otherwise fit, he was unable to train with his teammates for several weeks. It was a cruel twist that highlighted how fragile a footballer’s career can be, with even a common skin condition having the power to derail progress.

After thirteen months without a first-team appearance, Targett finally returned to action last Boxing Day. Now, with his contract at Newcastle set to expire next summer, the loan move to Middlesbrough represents a vital opportunity.

It’s a chance to play regular football again, to rediscover his rhythm, and to prove he still has plenty to offer. “I’m fully fit now, had a full pre-season, full training,” he says. “I’m excited to get going again.”

His journey is a reminder that behind every squad number is a human story of perseverance. For Matt Targett, the next chapter begins at a new club, with a clean bill of health and a determined mindset to make the most of his fresh start.