Who is Matt Targett? Newcastle United star fits the Scotland bill for World Cup moment of truth

In-form Newcastle United full-back Matt Targett is wanted man as he in the mix for Scotland call-up.

Steve Clarke is understood to be monitoring the player ahead of the World Cup play-off against Ukraine in June.

The 26-year-old is on loan at St James' Park from Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa and has helped them climb the table and away from the relegation zone.

Targett represented Scotland at under-19 level before going on to play for England at under-19s, 20s and 21s, where he won 12 caps.

But he has so far been overlooked for the senior squad and missed out on the latest squad for friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Switzerland.

Clarke, aided by No.2 John Carver, is now believed to be set to make their move.

Targett is a 26-year-old left-back who came through Southampton's famed youth academy after joining the club as an eight-year-old in 2003.

He joined Villa from Southampton in 2019 and has slowly improved as Villa progressed from relegation candidates to contenders for European places.

Targett was voted Aston Villa's players' Player of the Year last season and featured in every game last term, helping Villa to keep 15 clean sheets during that time.

Newcastle United swooped to sign the left-back to St James’s Park on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Targett is a very solid full-back both defensively and offensively and has slotted in nicely into the Newcastle United side since joining in January.

The 26-year-old is comfortable with the ball at his feet and has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt.

He is predominantly left-footed and has played in multiple positions for the Magpies this season - a key contributor in their Premier League survival.

Chronicle Live reports that scouts for the