Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was coy about the prospect of signing permanently on-loan Aston Villa wing-back Matt Targett.

Targett has impressed in each of the four games he has played for Newcastle so far and the Eastleigh native looks set to start against former club Southampton at St Mary's on Thursday night.

Given how Targett has already become one of the first names on the team sheet, Howe will surely want the 26-year-old to be a part of his long-term plans - even if the Newcastle boss can't necessarily say so in public.

"It's a difficult one," he told reporters. "I sort of won't answer that, but I will say how well I think he's done.

"He's very consistent, fitted in really well on and off the pitch and is a very intelligent player with and without the ball. He's been excellent so I'm very happy with him."