Forgotten Newcastle United man in contention v Chelsea after four months out

Newcastle United could welcome back Matt Targett into the matchday squad for Monday night's Premier League clash away to Chelsea (kick-off 8pm).

The Magpies have been without the left-back since he suffered a hamstring injury in the opening stages of the 3-0 win at Manchester United in the Carabao Cup in November. Surgery was required and Targett has spent four months out in total.

The 28-year-old returned to training last week but wasn't involved against Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers with Eddie Howe saying: "Matty might need a little more time to be back involved with the squad just due to the fact his injury was a muscle injury."

And following a full week of training, Targett is in contention for the visit to Stamford Bridge, a ground Newcastle haven't won at for 12 years. Asked about Targett, Howe told reporters: "Matt is working his way back to full fitness. If there was a situation where we needed him desperately, I think he could play now but I still think he needs a little bit more training time.

"That's not to say he won't be involved in the game but he's done well, had a full week of training and is getting closer. 

Targett has started just seven Premier League matches since joining permanently from Aston Villa for £15million in the summer of 2022. In the previous four months when he was on loan, the full-back started 16 games.

Dan Burn has been a regular at left-back for the past the past 18 months while Newcastle signed both Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall in the summer. Targett is contracted at St James' Park until 2026.