Source: Northern_Echo
Taylor doubtful for start of the season
CHRIS HUGHTON has hinted that Steven Taylor could struggle to be fit for the start of Newcastle's Premier League campaign after the former England Under-21 picked up a shoulder injury last Saturday.[LNB] The 24-year-old, who was ruled out of action for four months in 2006 with a dislocated shoulder, sustained his latest setback in the Magpies 3-0 victory at Carlisle United.[LNB] Hughton remains hopeful Taylor can make a swift return to action and expects to discover the full extent of the problem at the end of the week. But Taylor is scheduled to undergo further tests and will not be included in the party that travels to Norwich City on Saturday.[LNB] The harsh reality of Taylor's injury problems is in contrast to some of the latest transfer rumours linking Newcastle with the likes of Real Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer Raul, former Sunderland loanee Benjani, Hatem Ben Arfa of Marseilles and Scunthorpe hitman Gary Hooper.[LNB] Hughton was happy to put the record straight.[LNB] It's natural that we get linked with players but none of those names are accurate,[LNB] said the Newcastle manager, who dismissed talk of a move for Raul as fantasy football[LNB] and firmly denied reports that Benjani has been training with the Magpies squad.[LNB] Hughton did not, however, deny interest in former Arsenal and England centre-half Sol Campbell but does not expect there to be a breakthrough regarding a proposed move until the 35-year-old returns from his honeymoon at the end of the month.[LNB] Hughton said: I think people have picked up on my relationship with Sol and him being available and come up with that one. He is a good player but at the moment there's nothing to say on it.[LNB] There hasn't been any progress.[LNB] Campbell, who has also been in talks with Celtic, Sunderland and Arsenal is thought to favour a move to St James' Park and Taylor's ongoing injury problems would make the need for defensive cover even more pressing.[LNB] Hughton said: Hopefully it is not too long out for Steven but we want to assess it properly first and then clarify the situation. He will definitely be out of the Norwich game and it could be a few more weeks after that but we're still assessing it and we're hoping to have more information by the end of the week.[LNB] It's normal that people will be worried because he has had an injury there before but we don't want to pre-empt anything by speculating how long he will be out for. Steven is desperate to play games because it was a really difficult time for him at the end of last season. I think he just wants to play games so we've all got our fingers crossed for him.[LNB] German right-sided midfielder Stefan Aigner responded to reports that Newcastle were among the English clubs intereste in acquiring his services from Bundesliga outfit 1860 Munich.[LNB] I feel honoured by the interest.[LNB] It shows that I've played a really good season,[LNB] said the 22-year-old.[LNB] But I'm no longer thinking about it. I have a contract until 2012 and feel good here.[LNB] I want to confirm my performance and this is more important than an offer from England.[LNB]
