‘Doesn’t look good’ - Ninth Newcastle United player ruled out v Arsenal after ‘bizarre’ blow

Newcastle United are likely to be without Matt Targett for Saturday evening’s Premier League clash at home to Arsenal (kick-off 5:30pm).

The left-back was making just his third start of the 2023-24 season against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday but picked up a hamstring injury inside the opening three minutes.

Targett was replaced by Miguel Almiron, who went on to open the scoring in the 26th minute before further goals from Lewis Hall and Joe Willock saw the Magpies advance into the quarter finals of the competition.

“It was a massive performance from the players, I can’t credit them enough,” said Howe. “Some great stories to come out of the game from our perspective.

“The only negative was Matt Targett, that was a huge blow for us early in the game. Even more credit to the players for the response after that moment and some giant performances from the players.”

Asked for an update on Targett, Howe said: “I’ve got no idea why it happened or how it happened really. It’s bizarre, early in the game, he’s obviously not fatigued and he stretched his leg up to tackle and the minute he hit the ground he was waving to us on the side.

“I knew he was in trouble. It looks like a hamstring which would be a huge blow.

“The only hope for me is he wasn’t really running at the time. Sometimes they’re the worst ones when you’re in an explosive action but still he was in pain and he’s struggling to walk now. It doesn’t look good.”

Targett adds to Newcastle’s growing absentee list, which currently stands at nine players.