Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Taylor urged to respond

30 Oct 2007 - 08:11:26

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Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce has backed Steven Taylor to bounce back and return to the Magpies starting line-up.

The 21-year-old has not started a game since the September defeat at Manchester City with Allardyce using Abdoulaye Faye and Claudio Cacapa in central defence for Saturday's defeat at Reading.

The former Bolton Wanderers manager remains confident in Taylor's ability though, telling United's official website: "Steven will fight for his place - I've no doubt about that whatsoever.

"I had a chat with him before the Reading game and he's taken it very well.

"I know he's very disappointed not being involved at the moment, but he's a young player for the future for us, and I think he'll get back in.

"If he does get back in, and when he gets back in, I hope he keeps the shirt.

"The Steven Taylor situation isn't just Steven Taylor - it's him, David Rozehnal and Charles N'Zogbia.

"They were all moved out of the back because of that performance (against Manchester City), which wasn't good enough on the day.

"It wasn't just Steven Taylor, like everyone's making it out to be. I said it was about the whole back four on the day."