Fabricio Coloccini, our £10.3m signing from Deportivo La Coruña, is producing the best football of his time on Tyneside ... and Mike Williamson is keeping England international Sol Campbell on the bench.
So Hughton knows there is no need to push Taylor for an early return, as many believe he wouldn't walk straight into the team.
Chris Hughton: "Steven has got an excellent fitness level and his rehab work has been excellent.
"But he is still a couple of weeks away from joining in with everyone else in training.
"We're looking at probably mid-October for him to be back involved but as with all long-term injuries, it just depends how he reacts to being back in amongst it.
"It will be excellent to have a player like Steven back in the squad again."