Middlesbrough’s push for promotion could be dealt a blow with Newcastle United considering whether to activate a recall option on defender Matt Targett’s loan spell.
The possibility has emerged after Eddie Howe’s squad suffered yet another injury setback during Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Fulham.
Teesside Live understands that Targett, who is due to remain at the Riverside until the end of the season, has a recall clause in his loan agreement. With Tino Livramento the latest addition to Newcastle’s growing injury list, the former Aston Villa and Southampton left-back could be brought back to St James’ Park.
The decision is not straightforward for Howe, especially with Targett’s Newcastle contract nearing its end and the 30-year-old expected to seek a move elsewhere. Speaking about the situation, Howe said: “We’ll make the decision closer to the time we need to. Right now, I don’t have many more rabbits left to pull out of the hat, so we’ll see. We’re in a precarious position at the moment.”
There was some positive news for Newcastle, however, with Howe expecting Lewis Hall—who missed the Fulham tie—to be fit for this weekend’s clash against his former club Chelsea.
Newcastle’s defensive options have been severely hit, with Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth all sidelined and unlikely to return until the new year.
A recall would put Targett in a difficult position, knowing he would struggle for minutes once Newcastle’s squad is fully fit. It could also harm his prospects of securing a permanent move to Middlesbrough, where he has impressed with two goals in 18 appearances.
Boro also have Alan Browne and Sverre Nypan on loan at the Riverside. Sunderland are not expected to recall Browne, while Nypan has made little impact so far, resulting in limited playing time for the young Norwegian.