Eddie Howe hints £15m Newcastle player could be on the bench vs Chelsea

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Newcastle United might be able to welcome Matt Targett back from injury on Monday night against Chelsea.

The Magpies are going to be without one left-back due to Lewis Hall being ineligible to face his parent club, but another could return.

That is because Matt Targett is no longer suffering from injury, after being forced off in the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Manchester United back in November.

He sustained a hamstring injury in the first minute that night, and has not played since. But he is now back in training, and Eddie Howe has hinted that he could be on the Toon bench at Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle could have Matt Targett on the bench against Chelsea

Howe has spoke to the media ahead of Newcastle United’s game against Chelsea, and provided a fitness update on Targett.

“Matt is working his way back to full fitness,” he said.

“If there was a situation where we needed him desperately then I think he could play now. But I still think he probably needs a little bit more training time.

“That’s not to say he won’t necessarily be involved in the game. He’s done well and had a good full week of training. He’s getting closer.”

More depth in reserve for Newcastle

Howe’s words hint that Targett will be involved in some capacity at Stamford Bridge. That will likely mean he will be named on the bench, as there is absolutely no way that he will start.

Howe has admitted that the £15million man could play if they were desperate, but that is certainly not the case. Instead, Dan Burn will continue on the left of defence.

But the local lad will suddenly have more cover, as the Newcastle bench begins to flesh out. The Magpies are starting to get greater depth, and it will be great to see Targett back in the matchday squad.

He has endured another frustrating campaign, having made just seven appearances in all competitions so far this season – and one of those was the win over Man United when he did not even last a minute.

Targett is now back and will be keen to make up for lost time, while he will also feel he can be the answer to Newcastle’s left-back problem given Burn’s recent struggles in that position.