It’s been an improved few weeks for Newcastle from a results perspective, but a bruising one on the injury front.
Before the international break, we saw a 4-0 win at Union SG followed by a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. However, that period was marred by the loss of Lewis Hall to a hamstring injury just days after Tino Livramento was ruled out for six to eight weeks due to a knee issue.
That’s left us playing 33-year-old Dan Burn at left-back, which is far from ideal given he openly admitted last season that he is no longer suited in that role after putting on 6kg over the last 18 months to help him be more dominant at centre-back.
So, it’s fair to say we are lacking in depth at left-back, leaving some to wonder if Matt Targett could be recalled from his loan spell at Middlesbrough.
However, despite suggestions that his recall could be an option, The Athletic report that Newcastle are NOT expected to bring the 30-year-old back to Tyneside following injuries to Hall and Livramento.
Targett has done brilliantly so far on Teesside, managing a goal and an assist across his opening two games and barely missing a minute over the past month, seeing Boro move up to second in the Championship.
The former Aston Villa defender is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning he will almost certainly depart as a free transfer next season, ending his three and a half year stint at the club.
In the mean time, we’ll have to hope Tino returns soon, Hall’s hamstring injury is minor and Burn copes at left-back in the mean time, with U21 talent Alex Murphy our only other option in that position.
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