'One of the best' - Eddie Howe reacts as Newcastle United star ruled out for 11 months

The 29-year-old hasn’t played a competitive game for the Magpies since the 3-0 victory at Manchester United in the Carabao Cup 11 months ago.

Targett picked up a hamstring injury at Old Trafford and when he first returned in March he soon sustained an Achilles issue that forced him to miss the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign and this pre-season.

The former Southampton academy graduate took a step in the right direction in August when he completed 45 minutes for the under-21s in their Tyne-Wear derby draw with Sunderland at Whitley Park.

However, a first-team appearance continues to allude him. Targett has missed the last few weeks due to a bad episode of eczema and won’t feature against AFC Wimbledon tonight.

“I think it is a little too early for Matt,” said Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe. “He’s still in the very early stages of training. At the minute he feels good but I don’t think he’ll make this game.”

Targett first joined Newcastle on loan from Aston Villa in January 2022 and started 16 games as the club retained its Premier League status. However, since joining permanently, the defender has managed just seven league starts.

Howe added: “It’s been tough for Matt. Previous to those spells out he’d be a really reliable performer for us. He was someone who came in during a relegation battle and really solidified that left-back position, he was someone who consistently played to a really high level - very consistent and a really good professional so this has been a really difficult time for him without a shadow of a doubt.

“The time he’s spent injured is hugely frustrating for him and for us because we’ve missed a very good player. Matt, technically for me, is one of the best players in the squad so we’ve really missed him and would love to get him back fit on a consistent basis.

“The last problem that he has had has been a difficult one to take on top of the other episodes he’s had so fingers crossed we can get him back now for a sustained period.”