Matt Targett is set to miss Newcastle United’s Premier League clash against Arsenal on Saturday night (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.
Giving an update on Targett at his pre-Arsenal press conference, Howe: “I don’t think it look good but I think he’s having a scan today so we’ll know more then. Whenever you see a player come off with a hamstring injury you sort of fear the worst but we’ll see when we get the scan.”
Targett adds to Newcastle’s growing absentee list, which currently stands at nine players. Here’s the list in full:
1. Sandro Tonali - August 2024
Tonali has been handed a 10 month ban from football following an investigation into illegal betting activity by the Italian Football Federation. | Getty Images
2. Alexander Isak - Chelsea (H) - 25/11
The Swede was forced off just 14 minutes in v Dortmund after suffering a recurrence of his groin problem. Isak has undergone a scan and won’t return before the November international break at the earliest. | AFP via Getty Images
3. Jacob Murphy - February 2024
Murphy is set to undergo shoulder surgery which will likely see him sidelined for three months. | Getty Images
4. Sven Botman - N/A
Botman has missed the last eight matches with a knee issue. Currently, the Dutchman has no return date as Newcastle await further clarity on his injury. | AFP via Getty Images