Steven Taylor on course for pre-season return

Steven Taylor
© PA Photos
Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has admitted that his injury troubles have been difficult to deal with but is hopeful that he can return in time for pre-season training.

The 26-year-old suffered an Achilles injury back in December and has been forced to watch from the sidelines as Alan Pardew's Magpies strive for Champions League qualification.

However, the centre-half is now on the road to recovery and has thanked his teammates and the Newcastle medical staff for their support during his layoff.

"For the first two weeks after I did it, I was at my mam and dad's and you don't realise how useless you feel. You're on crutches and I couldn't move around the place. It has been a long, long road," Taylor told The Independent.

"The medical staff have been brilliant. It would have been so much harder without them, and the coaching staff and the gaffer have kept me around the lads.

"Every day they ask how I am and that is a big encouragement. I should be back ready for pre-season training and it has taken a lot of hard work."

Taylor has made 202 appearances for the Tyneside club since making his debut in 2004.
Tables
TeamPGDPTS
1Manchester United384389
2Manchester City383278
3Chelsea383675
4Arsenal383573
5Tottenham Hotspur382072
6Everton381563
7Liverpool382861
8West Bromwich Albion38-449
9Swansea City38-446
10West Ham United38-846
11Norwich City38-1744
12Fulham38-1043
13Stoke City38-1142
14Southampton38-1141
15Aston Villa38-2241
16Newcastle United38-2341
17Sunderland38-1339
RWigan Athletic38-2636
RReading38-3028
RQueens Park Rangers38-3025