Rafa Benitez, quietly, has ended the career of Steven Taylor at St James’ Park. The club’s longest-serving player paid the price for an error-strewn display at Southampton and unless either Chancel Mbemba or Jamaal Lascelles suffer an injury, there is no way back for him.
Newcastle, who are yet to be in touch about an extension to his lucrative contract, are not going to offer him a new deal.
If Taylor’s United career is over, he may be followed out the door soon by Fabricio Coloccini.