Toon star Taylor relishing City trip

STEVEN TAYLOR is relishing the chance to prove Newcastle’s critics wrong as they prepare for an acid test of their Barclays Premier League credentials.

The Magpies currently lie third in the league after an unbeaten 11-game start to the new campaign which has surprised almost everyone but themselves.

However, their next three fixtures see them travel to leaders Manchester City and reigning champions Manchester United in successive weekends before fourth-placed Chelsea arrive on Tyneside in a run of games which will test their newfound confidence to the extreme.