Taylor talks stutter with Toon

Taylor: Negotiations continue

Steven Taylor's contract negotiations with Newcastle are not progressing as expected, according to the defender's agent.

The centre-back will miss the start of his club's return to the Premier League, having sustained a dislocated shoulder in the summer which is expected to require three months of rehabilitation.

At the same time, Taylor is in contract talks with Newcastle over a new long-term deal at St James' Park.

But his representative, Paul Stretford, claims that discussions have become 'difficult and drawn-out'.

Stretford told the Mail on Sunday: "It would not be right to go into specific details as I don't believe it would help the situation.

Difficult and drawn-out

"Suffice to say matters are not progressing as I would like them to or would expect, but I am hopeful that there will be some movement in the near future.

"In the case of Steven it is typical of modern contract negotiations; they can become difficult and drawn-out.

"But from our point of view we are keen to try to conclude matters in the near future."

Taylor, for his part, added: "This is the club I have been at all my life. Last year we did a fantastic job getting the club back to where it belongs.

"The manager and his staff have done a great job and I hope they get enough support so that they can continue to move the club forward. I would love to be a part of that but first I need to get myself fit and back playing.

"I'm not going to comment on the stories about my contract talks. They are a matter for my agent and the club to sort out."