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Ciaran Kelly & Andrew Musgrove

Matt Targett's Newcastle United arrival could have a positive impact on 'unlucky' player

The arrival of Matt Targett to Newcastle United will hopefully push Jamal Lewis 'up another level.'

United have signed Aston Villa's Targett as he joins on loan until the end of the season - with some questioning what that means for the future of Lewis at the club.

The 24-year-old struggled in his debut season after a move from Norwich and has seen the current campaign blighted by injury - although there were brief glimpses of form during a run of games in December.

An injury picked up against Manchester City on December 19th left him struggling for game time, and now with the arrival of Targett, he's likely to find opportunities further limited.

But all is not lost for Lewis, and our Newcastle United writer Ciaran Kelly believes Targett's arrival could have a positive benefit on Lewis.

Speaking on The Everything is Black and White Podcast , Kelly noted: "It's a win-win situation.

"It'll push Jamal Lewis even more. That is the point when you look at your squad, you don't just want to bring in players but players who will push others, it really could take Lewis up another level.

"It's a really sensible signing - the full-back areas have been a bit of a mess for Newcastle in recent years. Most teams, because it's such an important position do have two really good full-backs, you might think there are other priorities but bringing in Targett could really be a good signing. "

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Targett - a regular under Dean Smith at Aston Villa, watched on this month as new manager Steven Gerrard signed Lucas Digne from Everton.

United have moved quickly to secure the full-back's loan - with Targett keen to secure first-team football.

Speaking more about the move, Kelly added: "It's a really sensible signing. To get him on loan - you can't go wrong.

" Newcastle are open to loans - for when teams begin to trim down their squads and there was a feeling sides would be little more open to players' wishes [to leave.]

"Someone like Matt Targett, it shows Newcastle are targeting Premier League players - I'd put him in that category. It's only last season he was Aston Villa's players' player of the season - he's the only outfield player who started all 38 Premier League games.

"He's durable, consistent and reliable - the progression he has made at Villa, he was once seen as the weak link but he's worked hard on his game.

"He's a very hard-working play, very unassuming, - you can see the characteristics that Eddie Howe likes in a player and Targett fits that."

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