Eddie Howe says that Matt Targett has a chance of being part of the Carabao Cup final squad next weekend.
Targett has featured just 12 times this season and last played before the World Cup in the 1-0 win over Chelsea at St James' Park back in November. Having suffered a heel injury and with Dan Burn proving to be an able deputy, Howe is pleased to have another option in the left-back area.
When asked if Targett has a shot at being involved at Wembley, with the defender back in training, Howe told Chronicle Live: "Yeah possibly. For me, it depends on how he comes through this weekend."
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Targett's return certainly stokes up competition between the former Aston Villa and Southampton star and local hero Burn. But Howe feels the two players bring different attributes to the table.
Howe said: "We have definitely missed Matt, he's first and foremost a great player. He is a great character, very consistent in training and goes about his business in a very professional way.
"He's got very different attributes to Dan Burn. In his own right he is an outstanding player. So having him back is great news for us."
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