Newcastle United must make big call on Matt Targett soon with deadline looming
Newcastle United are in the middle of a defensive injury crisis with just four established first-team defenders classed as fit right now.
We have to add that we use the term 'fit' very loosely in this case too as Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall are just coming back from injury and really need more time to bring up their match fitness.
Malick Thiaw hasn't had a break in ages, other than his 45 minutes off against Leeds after a shocking first half.
The Magpies are contemplating dipping into the transfer market to pad out their squad for the remainder of the season and beyond, but that's not the only option available.
Newcastle must make the call on Matt Targett quickly
Forgotten man Matt Targett is having a fine season on loan at Middlesbrough. Newcastle's sporting director Ross Wilson has been in talks over a potential recall this month to add cover for Eddie Howe as covered by Keith Downie.
It's unlikely that Targett himself would be overly keen to return to Newcastle to sit on the bench as cover when he's a first-team regular at Boro, but it's a call that may have to be made.
Newcastle will have to decide sooner rather than later, though, as next Friday is the deadline for Newcastle to be able activate a recall. This is a clause that would allow Middlesbrough time to find a replacement before the transfer window closes.
Recalling Matt Targett is the cost-effective option, but maybe not the best option
We absolutely see the logic in recalling Targett. He can play left-back and centre-back. He's currently fit and in good form and is a cost-effective option to get us through this tricky spell.
However, we have the money to go and buy a defender. Yes, we get that the plan is to keep our powder dry to make moves in the summer, but if we have players in mind for the summer, it can't hurt to try and get them a bit earlier.
The likelihood is we'd have to pay more to land any summer targets in January, but at a certain point, circumstances dictate what you should do, and this feels like one of those times we are just going to have to bite the bullet.
