Newcastle United left-back Matt Targett could be available to play in the club’s Premier League fixture this weekend.
That is according to Keith Downie of Sky Sports, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the latest from St James’ Park.
Targett suffered a dead leg in Newcastle’s Premier League opening day victory over Nottingham Forest, and was forced to sit out last weekend’s goalless draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.
And Magpies head coach Eddie Howe explained the nature of the former Aston Villa man’s injury following the fixture at the AMEX Stadium:
“We felt it was just a knock, but we had a scan and it showed very, very subtle damage to the muscle,” said Howe.
“We’re treating it like a very small muscle strain, but we’re hoping he will be back soon.”
And Downie believes that Targett, who is set for a late fitness test this weekend, will be available for selection for the visit of Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.
He said: “Targett’s [injury] was a dead leg, so I would imagine he’ll be back for the weekend.
“I think a decision on Targett will be, does he come in and play?
“[Dan] Burn did excellent at left-back last week – does he keep him in, does he bring Targett in and drop Burn, or does he maybe resort to a five at the back and bring Burn in and kind of sit in against Man City, which he has done before.”
TIF Thoughts on Downie’s comments
We believe that Newcastle fans will be delighted that Targett is likely to be available for selection, with the 26-year-old’s loan signing last January coinciding with the Magpies’ drastic upturn in results.
The former England U21 international has missed just two games since signing for the Tyneside club, making 17 appearances according to Transfermarkt, demonstrating that Howe clearly sees the former Southampton man as an integral part of his system.
And with last season’s Premier League champions visiting St James’ Park this weekend, you’d imagine that Howe needs all of his best options available to him in order to get the best possible result. Therefore, we think that if Targett is available, he will be selected in the starting XI for Sunday’s fixture.