Eddie Howe reveals ‘nasty’ injury for Newcastle United star after Leeds United draw

Newcastle United are to be without left-back Matt Targett for several weeks due to a heel injury.

The 27-year-old, signed permanently from Aston Villa in the summer, hasn’t started a Premier League match since September after losing his place to Dan Burn.

Behind the scenes, however, Targett has been nursing a heel issue, and Eddie Howe revealed it has now become too painful.

“Matt Targett has a heel problem,” Howe confirmed. “He’s been managing it for a couple of months but it’s got to the point where it’s too painful for him to carry on. When I say a couple of months, I’m including the break in that as well.

“It’s disappointing, I think he’s going to be out for a period of time. We’re not 100 per cent sure how long at the moment but it’s a nasty injury.”

Asked if it will impact United’s January transfer plans, Howe replied: “Not currently. We’re not close to anything. So yeah, we’ll see how the window unfolds.”

Targett is the second player Newcastle have lost to injury within the last week after Jonjo Shelvey was ruled out for six to eight weeks with a calf injury.

Alexander Isak (thigh), Paul Dummett (back) and Emil Krafth (ACL) also remain on the sidelines.