'Getting there': Eddie Howe now says Matt Targett and Elliot Anderson are close to a return from injury

Newcastle United have had the season from Hell in terms of freak and long-term injuries but that light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.

Saturday saw Alexander Isak and Joe Willock return to action, Sven Botman has been back for a few weeks as has Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes has also got a decent chunk of minutes under his belt recently.

There are still plenty of big players missing, though. Nick Pope doesn't appear to be any closer to a return while Callum Wilson and Joelinton will be lucky to see any more game time this season.

Eddie Howe expects Targett and Anderson back soon

However, Matt Targett and Elliot Anderson may not be too far away according to the latest update from Eddie Howe.

Speaking to the press this morning ahead of tomorrow's trip to Lancashire to take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in the FA Cup, Eddie Howe gave an update on the duo.

"They're getting there. It's been a long road for both of them. Matt's injury was quite clear cut, a bad tear in his hamstring and an operation.

"Elliot's had a very, very difficult injury because he felt OK but the scan said it was a stress fracture in his back so he had to give it a lot of rest. He's worked really hard and has felt good. Both are close to returning."

Another left-back option certainly isn't a bad thing right now

With all the scorching debate around the left-back position lately, having another option for that role will certainly spice things up on social media, but it will also give Eddie Howe another option should teams continue to expose Dan Burn's lack of pace.

Meanwhile, getting Elliot Anderson back could be huge as Lewis Miley seems to be running out of gas at the moment. A lot is being asked of the 17-year-old and it is beginning to look like he's close to suffering burnout.

With each game, our bench is looking stronger and that's really what matters. For so long this season we've had no options on the bench who could come on and turn a game around, but that's quickly becoming a thing of the past and it couldn't have come at a better time.