Newcastle United injury boost - £15m star on track to return for Man United Carabao Cup final

Matt Targett is on track to return from injury - just in time for Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.

The left-back, who joined permanently from Aston Villa for £15million last summer, has been sidelined with a heel issue since late-December.

Targett has returned to training this week but head coach Eddie Howe is unlikely to include him in the squad versus Liverpool later today (kick-off 5:30pm).

But should the 27-year-old come through next week unscathed, there’s a strong chance he’ll make the substitute bench at Wembley.

“Matt Targett has made a welcome return to training,” Howe confirmed. First steps for him.

“I won’t push him this weekend at this moment in time but good signs for him that he’s nearing a comeback.”

Asked if Targett will return for the final, Howe replied: “Yeah, possibly. For me, it depends on how he comes through this weekend and next week.”

It’s been a frustrating campaign for the former Southampton man, a big contrast to the form he showed last season to help turn his initial loan move into a permanent one.

A slight injury and then illness disrupted Targett’s start to the campaign. Dan Burn moved from centre-back to left-back, with his and the team’s form allowing the 30-year-old to nail down a regular spot.

But Howe believes Newcastle have missed Targett, who has made 12 appearances in 2022-23.

“We’ve definitely missed Matt,” said the Magpies’ head coach. “First and foremost, he’s a great player, a great character, a very, very consistent trainer, and someone who goes about his business in a very professional way.

“(They’re) very different attributes to Dan, and in his own right is an outstanding player. Having him back is a great boost for us.”