Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has stated that there is a deadline for the club to recall Matt Targett from Middlesbrough in January.

The full-back joined the Teesside club on loan from the Magpies in the summer and has played a crucial role in their promotion campaign.

Boro are hoping to return to the Premier League under Kim Hellberg, who took over as head coach in November following Rob Edwards’ abrupt exit to Wolves.

Targett has made 23 appearances in the Championship, scoring two goals and assisting twice.

However, if Newcastle decides to invoke the recall clause in his contract, his loan term at the Riverside might be cut short in January. Targett would provide much-needed depth back at Newcastle as Eddie Howe’s side looks to reclaim European football, but for the time being, he remains on Teesside.

Eddie Howe discusses Newcastle and Middlesbrough’s cut-off deal involving Matt Targett.

Howe has clarified that Newcastle does not have until the 2 February transfer deadline to make a decision on Targett’s immediate future, as the loan deal has a cut-off date.

The 48-year-old has stated that a decision will be made soon and that he is in frequent communication with his agent and sporting director Ross Wilson.”I believe there is a cut-off point, but I believe Ross has been in regular contact with Matt’s agent,” Howe told Sky Sports.

“We’ll make a decision on that very soon.”

Middlesbrough were knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend after a third-round loss to Premier League club Fulham.

Targett started the defeat, therefore Boro’s primary emphasis for the rest of the season will be contending for promotion to the top flight.

Hellberg will be hopeful that the full-back joins that drive rather than returning to his parent club.

It is unknown when the deadline in his loan arrangement to recall him will pass, therefore his participation in the 16 January trip to West Brom is uncertain at this time.

Middlesbrough may face a difficult decision if Matt Targett is recalled.

Despite his strong performance this season, the availability of a cut-off point will expedite the process.

If he is recalled, the Championship side will have some time to find a suitable replacement before the market closes.

However, Hellberg will want him to stay because of his importance to the squad and how close the team is to achieving automatic promotion.

Targett is unlikely to be of much service to Howe in the second half of the season, and his return would be an extreme short-term answer to their squad’s injury issues.