Newcastle United’s January transfer window has begun with a double outgoing loan move for two Under-21 talents, while sporting director Ross Wilson holds urgent talks over a potential recall of Matt Targett. Harrison Ashby and Joe White have joined League One promotion hopefuls Bradford City until the end of the 2025/26 season, as the club continues to manage a growing injury list that has left the backline dangerously thin. With Fabian Schär’s ankle ligament damage adding to the woes of Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, and Emil Krafth, Howe faces tough decisions on squad balance which will be key for Toon especially with oddsmakers like melbet myanmar having them at 6/1 to finishin the top 5 this season.
Ashby and White Head to Valley Parade
On January 13 2026 Newcastle United announced a double loan deal sending Harrison Ashby and Joe White to Bradford City for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. Both players, part of the club’s Under-21 cohort, will join Graham Alexander’s side, who currently sit third in League One and are pushing for promotion to the Championship.
Ashby, 24, joined Newcastle from West Ham in January 2023 and made 31 appearances last season during a loan spell with Queens Park Rangers. He has been largely on the sidelines in 2025, with limited senior minutes, making the move to Valley Parade a chance to regain match sharpness and regular football.
Joe White, 23, has been on a rollercoaster loan journey since breaking into the first team with a debut in a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth in February 2024. His most recent spell at Leyton Orient in League One was largely unproductive, and the Bradford switch offers a fresh start in a promotion-chasing environment. Both players will hope to impress in League One and return to Tyneside better equipped for Howe’s first-team plans.
The announcement, released on Tuesday January 13 2026, wished Ashby and White well, underscoring the club’s commitment to youth development through regular first-team football.
Targett Recall Talks Begin Amid Full-Back Emergency
Newcastle’s defensive crisis has escalated rapidly. Fabian Schär’s ankle ligament injury, suffered in the 4-3 win over Leeds, joins Dan Burn (rib and lung issue, out until February), Kieran Trippier (hamstring), Emil Krafth (knee), and Tino Livramento (knee, eight weeks) on the treatment table. Lewis Hall is the only fit left-back, forcing Howe to consider all options.
Ross Wilson has been in regular dialogue with Matt Targett’s agent over a potential early recall from his Middlesbrough loan. The 30-year-old joined Boro last summer and has played regularly, scoring once and assisting once in six games while helping them to second in the Championship. However, Targett is not registered in Newcastle’s 25-man Premier League or 21-man Champions League squads, making him ineligible until January unless the loan is terminated.
The Mail’s Craig Hope reported a cut-off date of next Friday for any recall decision, giving Newcastle just over a week to assess the injury situation and explore alternatives. Targett’s contract expires in June 2026, and he may prefer to stay at Boro for regular football rather than return as backup to Hall.
The Full Injury Picture Eight Players in Doubt
Howe’s update on January 23 2025 painted a worrying picture of Newcastle’s resources. Tino Livramento’s knee injury is “good news,” with the club hoping he can resume training “quite quickly” pending final checks. Howe was cautious “It’s a difficult one because there’s quite a bit of information on Tino. We’re waiting to get full clarification. We’re hoping it’s not serious at all and he can resume training quite quickly. But before confirming that, we want to be sure that we’re right.”
Nick Pope, out since late November with a groin issue, could train today and has a chance of returning this week. Sven Botman, recovering from a back injury, is “not far away” but hasn’t trained yet. Joelinton, absent since the Leverkusen draw due to a groin problem, is “closer” to returning. Jamaal Lascelles is back training after a muscle issue.
The four long-term absentees Dan Burn (four to six weeks), Kieran Trippier (until the new year), Emil Krafth (until the new year), and Will Osula (another month) highlight the defensive and attacking strain. Yoane Wissa’s availability for Fulham will be decided with the medical team and player.
A Packed Schedule Tests Depth
Newcastle’s December run remains punishing, with nine games in 33 days. The Tottenham Carabao Cup tie on December 2 was the first test without Pope, with Ramsdale expected to continue. Burnley (home), Bayer Leverkusen (away), Sunderland (away), Fulham (home), and Chelsea (home) follow, with the international break offering respite.
Howe’s rotation strategy, resting Woltemade in Marseille, reflects the need to manage minutes, but the lack of senior alternatives up front and at full-back adds pressure. January must deliver reinforcements, particularly at full-back, with Targett’s recall a potential short-term fix.
Verdict January Must Deliver Solutions
Newcastle’s injury crisis, with eight players in doubt and Pope out until Boxing Day, exposes depth issues. The Ashby and White loans to Bradford aim to give youth experience, while Targett’s recall talks show the club’s urgency. Howe’s measured updates reflect a manager managing expectations, but the festive schedule demands results. With the squad’s quality, Newcastle can navigate December, but January signings will determine whether this season ends in Europe or mid-table.
