EDDIE HOWE feels Matt Targett will have benefited greatly from his return to first-team action in Thursday’s 4-1 win at Everton.

Targett made his first league start since mid-September as Newcastle triumphed at Goodison Park to open up an eight-point gap to fifth-placed Tottenham.

The left-back replaced Dan Burn, who was struggling with illness before the game, and turned in a solid defensive display as the Magpies repelled a spirited Everton in the first half before cutting loose after the break.

Howe said: “I thought Matt did really well. It’s never easy to come in after a long absence, but he showed his experience and his calmness on the ball.

“I was really pleased with him. It was a big mental test for the team, and he was part of that team that was so good, so I’m delighted for him.”

Howe will have to decide whether to stick with Targett for tomorrow’s home game with Southampton or restore Burn to the starting side.

The Saints were losing at home to Bournemouth while Newcastle were triumphing on Merseyside this week, with their 1-0 defeat leaving them six points adrift of safety.

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With just five more games to play, a defeat on Tyneside tomorrow could prove terminal to Southampton’s survival hopes, but while Sunday’s visitors might be struggling, Howe will not be taking anything for granted.

He said: “It’s a difficult game. They are fighting. I watched the Arsenal game very recently, and they were very good against the league leaders, scoring three goals.

“They’ve got a real threat on transitions and set-plays. We’ve played Southampton three times this season (once in the league and twice in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup), so we know their qualities, they’re a good team. It’s going to be a difficult game.”