Matt Targett is hoping to earn a permanent deal with Middlesbrough after impressing on loan from Newcastle
Middlesbrough’s Matt Targett(Image: PA)
Newcastle United defender Matt Targett admits his time at the club is over – but has thanked Eddie Howe for the role he played over a potential January recall.
The left-back has spent the season on loan at Championship outfit Middlesbrough, with Kim Hellberg’s side in the running for promotion to the Premier League.
After finding first-team opportunities hard to come by at Newcastle, Targett has become an important player for Boro, and is focused on helping them achieve their promotion aims.
There was speculation that United could recall the 30-year-old in the January transfer window, with injuries to Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Sven Botman leaving the Magpies short of cover in defence.
Howe was always reluctant to cut short Targett’s time on Teesside, especially as it would only be a short-term measure, and Newcastle made the decision to allow his to stay at the Riverside.
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It’s something Targett remains extremely grateful for in a season where he has stayed injury-free and enjoying regular gametime.
“It was really important to me that I could come here and prove I can play a full season with no injuries,” he told Sky Sports.
“I had a chat with Eddie Howe in January and he was so understanding about my situation, so I thank him for that. He knew it was beneficial for me, that I wanted to keep playing.
“The future? I’m not sure to be honest. I believe I’m done at Newcastle so that chapter is closed.
“Hopefully we get promoted here and there will be a contract for me, but if not I’ve played as much as I can this season so I’ll assess my options.”
Targett has impressed for Boro, scoring four goals and creating a further three in 37 appearances for the Teesside club.
He joined Newcastle from Aston Villa in January 2022, initially on loan, as part of Howe’s first transfer window in charge of the club, and played an important role as the Magpies escaped a relegation battle.
Targett made the move permanent the following summer, but injuries and the form of Burn and then Lewis Hall meant he was unable to find a regular place in the side.
Speaking on Targett in February, Howe explained his decision, saying: “It’s not just for our wants and needs There is another side to look at, and that is the player’s perspective.
“So I don’t think it is wise to force things on players that they don’t want because you have to have a harmonious dressing room here.
“You have to have a group that is all aligned in the same direction. And of course that is no criticism of the players, everybody has different contract lengths and they have to think about their long-term futures. But we have to make long-term decisions that help the football club on a daily basis.”
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