EXCLUSIVE: Local hero Taylor sets his sights on Newcastle's derby clash with Middlesbrough

22 April 2009 14:40
Raring to go: Toon defender Taylor Steven Taylor is targeting a return to Newcastle's starting line-up for their key relegation battle with north-east rivals Middlesbrough following the latest scan on his damaged ankle. Tests last night (Tuesday) confirmed the Newcastle defender had come back too soon against Tottenham on Sunday and aggravated an injury that prevented him playing in the second half of his side's 1-0 defeat. He will be out for at least a fortnight and has been told he cannot do any running until the bruising and swelling round his ankle begins to recede. It is a setback for manager Alan Shearer, who admitted his side need to win all their remaining home games as a minimum requirement for Barclays Premier League survival. Taylor will miss Monday's St James' Park meeting with Portsmouth and the following Saturday's game with Liverpool at Anfield. Determined as ever to throw his weight behind Newcastle's desperate struggle to stay up, the England Under 21 centre-back is setting his sights on the crucial showdown with Middlesbrough at St James' a fortnight on Monday. With just two more games to go after that, at home to Fulham and away to Aston Villa, Taylor is anxious to avoid any further recurrence of the injury when he is finally given the go-ahead to play again. 

Source: Daily_Mail