This is a first.
Eddie Howe has revealed he will be a man light for his side’s clash with Manchester City this weekend following one player coming down with eczema.
It’s been a topsy-turvy start to the season for Newcastle as they sit a very respectable sixth in the Premier League table with 10 points from five matches.
However, the performances on the pitch have far from inspired fans with the Toon being dismantled 3-1 by Fulham in their last game.
The return of Sandro Tonali to the squad is a major boost to Howe, and with no European football to contend with it simply has to be a strong season for Newcastle given the investment.
Newcastle will be desperate to bounce back against City in the early kick-off on Saturday, but Howe will be without one of his first-team squad due to… Eczema.
While a significant flare-up in eczema is no laughing matter and 100% could be enough for someone to be ruled out, it has to be up there as one of the more unusual reasons a player has missed a fixture.
Speaking on Friday, Howe confirmed that Matt Target would be unavailable for selection due to the condition.
“Matt had a flare-up of eczema, so he’s been nursing that the last couple of weeks,” Howe explained.
“It’s been quite a bad episode for him. We’re hoping to get him back to training, but he won’t play this weekend.”
Matt Targett- Getty
Matt Targett- Getty
Despite impressing on his initial loan spell in the North East, Targett has found it hard to cement himself in the starting eleven ever since he completed the £15m permanent move.
That is largely down to injuries as the full-back missed 35 games last season with long-term hamstring and Achilles issues.
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The 29-year-old is still yet to make an appearance since October 2023 and hasn’t featured in a matchday squad since January.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Newcastle United, Eddie Howe, Manchester City, Premier League
