Taylor ‘jaw broken’ amid trouble in Toon

NEWCASTLE defender Steven Taylor has been discharged from hospital after undergoing treatment on an orthopaedic trauma ward.

The 24-year-old was admitted to Newcastle General Hospital at the weekend and reports have since emerged of an alleged training ground bust-up with team-mate Andy Carroll.

Taylor, who has spent the last two months recovering from a knee injury, was said to have suffered a broken jaw in the incident.

The Magpies, who beat Doncaster 1-0 in a vital Coca-Cola Championship clash at the Keepmoat Stadium last night, ironically with Carroll scoring a 59th minute winner, have not commented on the allegations. Owner Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias have launched an internal investigation with sources on Tyneside revealing they are furious the focus has been taken off the club’s promotion bid at a time they were making headlines for the right reasons.

However, Northumbria Police confirmed the matter has not been reported to them.

Taylor is not expected to play again this season.

Carroll, 21, faces a Crown Court appearance next month on an assault charge in connection with an incident at a city night-spot.

He is currently the club’s leading scorer this season with 16 goals after emerging from the academy ranks to stake a claim for a regular starting berth.

Carroll also claimed the equaliser in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Bristol City.

Newcastle have attracted the wrong kind of headlines in recent years, most notably over the astonishing on-field spat between colleagues Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer, and Joey Barton’s spell behind bars.

However, a new-found stability off the pitch in recent months and positive results on it had provided a welcome respite with the prospect of a swift promotion back to the top flight the main focus of attention.