Source: Northern_Echo
Taylor sure his future lies with Newcastle
NEWCASTLE defender Steven Taylor has ended his silence over the training ground fracas last March that led to him suffering a fractured jaw, robbing him of a chance to play any part in the Magpies promotion run-in.[LNB] Following the incident it was expected that the London- born centre-half had played his final game for the club.[LNB] The former England Under- 21's current deal expires at end of the upcoming season and with Fulham and Everton reportedly interested in his services, Newcastle were thought ready to cash in on one of their most saleable assets.[LNB] But Taylor has declared he wants to stay on Tyneside and earn a new deal, insisting he regards himself as part of a happy squad.[LNB] Taylor was returning from a serious knee injury against West Brom in January when he sustained the jaw injury that ensured he would play no further part in the title-winning campaign.[LNB] But he has played down talk that his position at the club had become untenable, revealing that talks have already begun to extend his stay at St James' Park.[LNB] Labelling his spell on the sidelines as a time when he went to hell and back, Taylor nevertheless tried to strike an optimistic note about his Newcastle future.[LNB] What I can say about it (the training ground bust-up) is don't believe everything you've read and heard. We have a fantastic team bond and everyone is happy. I've not got a problem with anyone at the club, he insisted.[LNB] There are always rumours knocking about with this club. I remember when I was younger it was Ronaldo and Rivaldo signing for Newcastle United.[LNB] The best thing is not to react to it and to just stick together.[LNB] As a club we have been criticised in the past but now our attitude is to just keep quiet about it, let people write what they want to write and we'll just get on with it.[LNB] It's a successful strategy, as far as I'm concerned. Look where that got us last season.[LNB] Taylor was keen to draw a line under suggestions there is any lingering ill-feeling between himself and teammate Andy Carroll.[LNB] I'm happy at Newcastle United, I've got another year left here and I just want to get back playing again,'' he said.[LNB] People reading all of that stuff about me and Andy were probably amazed to see us standing together on the podium at the end of the season but we've got a great understanding.[LNB] There's a fantastic team spirit at Newcastle United and no-one wants to put that under threat.[LNB] This is a great squad.[LNB] When you look at the forwards we've got Andy, Shola (Ameobi), Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands they're great players. Plus we've been able to keep players I didn't think we'd be able to. For them to stick by us is fantastic.[LNB] This is a new era for Newcastle and I'm really looking forward to it.[LNB] I think we bounced back very well. We had a great season last year, unbeaten at home, we made St James' Park a fortress.[LNB] As players we've grown in confidence and I think we've learned from our mistakes during that season in the Championship.[LNB] I've been to hell and back.[LNB] It was unbelievably tough when I was injured last season, it was so frustrating.[LNB] Hopefully the new contract will get sorted. I've got a year left and my agent is in talks with the club. I've left it to him.[LNB] I just want to play football, that's all I'm focused on. Running out in front of 52,000 at St James' Park is the best feeling in the world.[LNB] There's always things going on around contract negotiations.[LNB] It's all paper talk and you need to let things happen.[LNB] My agent Paul Stretford is taking care of things and my main focus is playing football for Newcastle United. That hasn't changed.[LNB] Newcastle begin their preseason programme this afternoon as Chris Hughton takes a strong squad to Carlisle United (1pm kick-off).[LNB]
