Newcastle United is facing a significant setback in their defense as Matt Targett and Dan Burn will be sidelined for an extended period due to recent injuries. Targett had to leave the field in the first minute of their 3-0 Carabao Cup victory against Manchester United, while Burn was substituted at halftime after an unfortunate fall on his back during the 1-0 win over Arsenal last Saturday.
Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager, initially couldn’t provide a precise assessment of Burn’s injury after the Arsenal match but shed more light on the situation ahead of their upcoming Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday evening. Howe disclosed, “Regrettably, Dan will be out for quite a while, I believe. It’s another long-term issue, likely a couple of months. He landed on his spine, causing a significant setback. Dan has been a crucial asset for us due to his character, determination, experience, and versatility, especially in the center-back position. Losing him is not just about a position but also his abilities.”
As for Targett, he underwent a hamstring scan on Friday and is set to consult with a specialist for a more detailed diagnosis. Unfortunately, it appears to be another long-term injury for Newcastle as their list of injured players continues to expand. Howe mentioned, “We don’t have all the details yet. I believe he’s meeting with a specialist tonight for more clarity. It won’t be a quick recovery for Matt; I’d estimate around three months, regardless of whether surgery is needed or not.”
In response to the growing injury crisis, Howe also revealed that he will include several young players on the bench for the Dortmund match, including Lewis Miley, Lucas De Bolle, and Ben Parkinson, who were seen traveling with the team to Germany.
The Magpies will be missing a total of 12 senior players as they enter the group stage match. Despite the challenging injury situation, Howe expressed confidence in his team’s physical readiness, stating, “Physically, I think we’ll be okay. We haven’t had much time for training, but we have prepared tactically for the game.”