Your Newcastle United evening headlines for Wednesday, May 18.
Targett wants Toon move
Matt Targett has signalled his ambition is to play for Newcastle next season. The on-loan defender has been a revelation since arriving from Aston Villa temporarily in January.
ChronicleLive understands a £15million deal is in place for the 26-year-old, who has started every game - apart from the 1-0 win against his parent club - following his move. Defensive fragilities at left-back are now non-existent but will arise again if Targett returns to Villa Park.
The defender admitted he wants to stay at St James’ Park after the win against Arsenal. He said post-match: "We'll see (about staying). It's up to the club, the owners have got so much money and I'm sure they could go get anyone they want.
Read more: Newcastle supporters react to classy Isaac Hayden post amid uncertainty over future
"But it's a very exciting project here and if I'm here next season then brilliant but if I'm not then I'll be looking from afar and hoping the club does well. The fans have been incredible since I've been here. The support I've had has been incredible and I can't thank them enough because they've made my time here really special. It's been brilliant.
"It's special. The fans, it feels like they're on the pitch with you and the noise unsettled a good team like Arsenal and gives so much confidence to the players. It's the best atmosphere that I've played in."
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Wood ok for Burnley
Chris Wood should be available for selection against his former club Burnley this weekend. Eyebrows were raised ahead of the 2-0 win against Arsenal once the teamsheet was announced, with the Magpies’ £25million nowhere to be seen.
However, following the win, Howe confirmed the New Zealand international missed out due to a hip problem that he hopes “isn’t too serious.” Wood - who has netted just twice since a January move - could count himself lucky if he is named against Burnley following Callum Wilson’s showing against the Gunners.
Simon Jordan Saudi rant
Simon Jordan has slammed Toon chiefs for opting to wear a Saudi Arabian-style away kit next season. Critics have condemned Newcastle’s decision to play in white in green - a striking similarity to the gulf state’s home jersey.
Proponents point towards the supporters Newcastle could attract from the region by playing in colours akin to their own. The issue has polarised supporters but no uncertainty over Jordan’s stance.
“There’s no tact behind this,” he told talkSPORT. “There’s no notion that this isn’t what it is. This is a mock-up of the Saudi Arabia kit. Well it’s bloody close, isn’t it?
“I guarantee that that kit would never, ever have been conceived if the ownership model wasn’t the ownership model that it is. The fact that the ownership model is Saudi Arabian, the fact that it’s owned by a nation state, the fact that the kit is as close as you can get to the Saudi Arabian national team are all just coincidences, are they?”
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