Matt Targett has proven to be a shrewd acquisition since his January arrival from Aston Villa. A failed move for Everton’s Lucas Digne - who replaced the 26-year-old in Steven Gerrard’s side - is turning out to be a blessing in disguise.
Newcastle United capitalised on a player desperate for first-team football by luring Targett to Tyneside on loan. Since then, he has started all but one game - the 1-0 win against his parent club - to cement himself as one of the first names on Eddie Howe’s team sheet.
The Magpies' vulnerabilities at left-back were often exposed before his arrival, with Matt Ritchie incapable of playing in a four-man defence, Paul Dummett’s injury woes continuing and Jamal Lewis deemed surplus to requirements. Now, Newcastle have a player who is an established Premier League-level operator at the peak of his powers - but for how long for?
