Newcastle’s forgotten man suffers another injury - Summer sale looking difficult?

One of the best moments from our recent win over Ipswich was seeing Sven Botman return to the pitch after his recent injury setback.

However, our good injury fortune looks like it hasn’t lasted very long, as another defender - albeit a rarely-seen one - looks to be ruled out for the rest of the season.

Having been discussed as a player to potentially be sold this summer, things may now get a little trickier in terms of moving this player on.

Targett ruled out with hamstring injury

Unfortunately, Matt Targett has been confirmed as the latest injury to our squad this season.

Eddie Howe revealed the 29-year-old had been injured earlier this week, and any hopes of a cameo between now and the end of the season look to be over.

"We lost Matt Targett this week to a hamstring problem," he said. "Again, nothing serious but enough, maybe, to end his season."

Targett’s only managed two appearances and 19 minutes so far this season, having been notably ruled out for six games at the beginning of the season with an eczema flare-up.

Fortunately however, the immense form of Tino Livramento has not left us light on left backs, so we’ve managed to avoid more defensive depth issues this time.

A difficult departure this summer?

Having signed from Aston Villa permanently back in  the summer of 2022, Targett enters the final year of his current contract this summer.

And in a summer window where we desperately need to clear some squad space and free up some wages, the likes of Targett would be high on the list of prospective outgoings.

But with an injury record and lack of game time like Targett’s, the player will be a tough sell to a number of Premier League and Championship clubs, similar to Callum Wilson whose own contract expires in a matter of weeks.

Factoring in the return of Lewis Hall next season, and should he still be on Tyneside come August and the end of the window, then it’s looking like Targett will face immense competition to even make the squad next season, having already been omitted for nine games this campaign alone.