Taylor urged to stay focused

Taylor: Great potential

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has warned Steven Taylor that the praise being lavished on him could have a negative influence.

Taylor impressed for England Under 21s during the summer and has carried that form into the new Premier League season with Newcastle.

He was called up to the England squad for Wednesday's friendly with Germany and Allardyce was delighted to see him involved at Wembley.

But Allardyce also believes Taylor must be careful if he wants to fulfil his potential.

"As a young man, all the publicity that surrounds it affects them and they have to push that publicity out of the way and not even listen to it, read it or watch it," said Allardyce.

"The minute that affects them is the minute they become a player in regression rather than progression.

"That's very difficult for a young man. We have seen many players of huge capability at an early age get carried away and then their career go into decline rather than escalating into something that is going to be long-lasting.

"My advice to Steven is to cut out the outside influences and factors and don't listen to them and just concentrate on what happens inside the football club."