Newcastle United set new deadline as talks held with defender's agent - decision 'very soon'
Newcastle United are assessing all options as they look to ease their defensive injury crisis.
Newcastle United have given themselves extra time to decide on whether to recall Matt Targett from his loan spell at Middlesbrough.
Targett is enjoying life at Boro, where he is playing an important role in their push for promotion to the Premier League. The 30-year-old has made 24 appearances in total, starting all 10 of Kim Hellberg’s matches in charge after he succeeded Rob Edwards as head coach in November.
Newcastle are aware of Targett’s preference to stay on Teesside, where he is essentially playing for a permanent move with his contract at St James’ Park expiring in June. However, the Magpies have their own injury crisis to consider.
Newcastle United defensive injury crisis - five ruled out
Tino Livramento became the latest casualty when he picked up a hamstring injury in Saturday’s FA Cup third round penalty shootout win over AFC Bournemouth. And following a scan earlier this week, Newcastle expect the 23-year-old to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
United are also awaiting news on how long Fabian Schar will be out for after he was stretchered off with ankle ligament damage in last Wednesday’s dramatic 4-3 victory against Leeds United.
Meanwhile, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles aren’t available and currently have no definitive return date. Krafth has been sidelined since the November international break with a knee issue, while Lascelles hasn’t been involved with the matchday squad since the 3-1 defeat at Brentford on November 9.
Dan Burn closest to returning for Newcastle United
Dan Burn is closest to a return but by his own admission is still a “couple of weeks away”. The Blyth-born defender gave an injury update while on punditry for Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester City in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tie on Wednesday.
Burn, who sustained a rib and lung injury after going into a sliding tackle with Sunderland defender Reinildo Mandava, told Sky Sports: “I am good. My lung is all right, the rib will be a couple more weeks but I am feeling a lot better than I was a few weeks ago. It is the worst pain I have ever been in and I was lying in bed for about three days but it got better pretty quickly."
As it stands, Newcastle have only four senior defenders available in Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall.
Newcastle United extend Matt Targett recall deadline
Eddie Howe admitted in midweek that his side are “pinning their hopes” on getting Burn back “pretty soon” but also said “the transfer market is still available to us." Recalling Targett also remains under consideration.
Newcastle inserted a recall clause in the agreement that saw Targett join Boro on a season-long deal in the summer. The initial deadline for making a decision was Monday, however, that has since been extended following discussions with the two clubs, as per the Northern Echo.
Howe revealed on Monday that sporting director Ross Wilson had been in regular dialogue with Targett’s agent, with a decision to be made “very soon”.
However, when the new deadline is exactly is currently unknown.