Newcastle United left-back Matt Targett has been ruled out of his side's crunch clash with Manchester City due to a rarely-seen medical condition.
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Newcastle United host Manchester CityTargett looked set for first game of seasonRuled out due to rarely-seen medical conditionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The former Aston Villa man has not played for Newcastle this season and had an injury-hit campaign in 2023/24. Now, more bad luck has befallen him ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Pep Guardiola's men. Toon manager Eddie Howe confirmed the 29-year-old would not be available and here's why.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE EXPLANATION
On Friday, Howe told reporters that Targett's eczema had been playing up in recent weeks.
"Matt had a flare-up of eczema, so he's been nursing that the last couple of weeks. 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," he said in his pre-match press conference.
DID YOU KNOW?
Targett joined Newcastle on loan from Villa in the 2021/22 season before signing a four-year deal that summer for £15 million ($20m). Despite a bright start, he has been struck down by long-term hamstring and Achilles problems since then and missed 35 games last term.
AFPWHAT NEXT?
After Newcastle host City on Saturday, the Magpies take on AFC Wimbledon in round three of the Carabao Cup on October 1 before returning to Premier League action away to lowly Everton four days later. Targett will hope to be available for his side soon.