Pardew: Taylor deserves England spot

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew thinks that Steven Taylor should be called up into the England squad after a successful start to the season.

The defender has played an integral part in the Magpies' surge to the top four of the Premier League table but failed to earn a call-up to the Three Lions squad to face Spain and Sweden.

"Steven Taylor would be the one," Pardew told talkSPORT. "We're talking about a player who was going to be England's centre-half but who got injuries and lost his way a little bit in terms on continuity, which is what you need to get in the England team.

"But he's been fit for almost the whole year since I came to Newcastle and has been absolutely outstanding.

"He's a player who could walk into the England team and play to the level [Gary] Cahill did last night [against Sweden]. If England come calling he won't let them down."

The North East side go head to head with fellow unbeaten side Manchester City on Saturday.