EDDIE Howe will anxiously await further news on Matt Targett's hamstring injury after the defender was forced off after just three minutes at Manchester United.

Howe was perplexed by what he described as a "bizarre" incident when Targett pulled up with the problem after going in to make a tackle. But the defender instantly "knew he was in trouble" and had to be replaced by Miguel Almiron.

It's another injury blow for the Magpies, who already have a number of players out of action.

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Howe said: "I have no idea why or how it happened. It's bizarre. It's early in the game and he's not fatigued at that moment.

"He's stretched his leg up to tackle and instantly the minute he hit the ground he was waving to us and knew he was in trouble. It looks like a hamstring which would be a huge blow.

"The only hope for me is he wasn't really running at the time. Sometimes they're the worst ones when you're in an explosive action, but he was in pain and he's struggling to walk now so it doesn't look good."