Magpies' Taylor to miss rest of season

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is likely to miss the rest of the season as he prepares to undergo surgery on his injured Achilles.

The 25-year-old limped off during the closing stages of yesterday’s 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat by Chelsea, and manager Alan Pardew later admitted the early indications were not good.

His worst fears were realised today when the club confirmed that Taylor will have an operation tomorrow that will leave him facing a lengthy spell of rehabilitation.