Taylor sets sights on Magpies return

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is determined to play again this season after starting out on the long road to recovery from his dislocated shoulder.

The 20-year-old blossomed to such an extent during the first few months of the current campaign that he came to be regarded as the club’s most reliable central defender despite the recruitment of £8m (€11.7m) Frenchman Jean-Alain Boumsong and the presence of £4.5m (€6.6m) former England U21 international Titus Bramble.