Taylor Battles Against Time
Last updated : 27 June 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
Taylor is desperate to start the season as one of the two central defenders on the opening day of the Premiership against Bolton, but he is likely to miss preseason training due to an ankle injury suffered in the U21 European Championship semifinals.
The 21-year-old defender suffered ankle ligament damage in last Wednesday's European Championship semi-final against Holland in Heerenveen and struggled to take one of the penalties in the shoot-out.
Having just been called a "coward" by the Dutch boss, I cannot ever remember anyone taking a penalty under so much pressure. He had to limp up to kick the ball! He scored, but sadly England missed out on the final.
Taylor does not report officially for pre-season training until July 11, but will be sidelined for around a month. That means missing the away fixtures against Hartlepool and Carlisle, and is a big doubt for the home friendlies against Celtic and Juventus on July 26 and 29.
He is hoping to play some part in the pre-season programme, however, Allardyce could have a wealth of riches by then having been given allegedly £50m to spend in transfers. And defenders are his priority.
He will be in no hurry to rush back Taylor, having seen the horror injury list both Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder had to deal with in recent seasons.
Another Newcastle United defender Peter Ramage, has spoken about his own fears for the coming season, saying he too wants to impress in the friendlies.
Ramage is going into the final year of his present contract and faces his most important campaign yet at the club. It is "make or break" for the player who has yet to convince the Toon Army he is the right man for the job in the back-line.