Taylor struggling for Chelsea

Taylor: Injury doubt

Steven Taylor admits he is facing a race against time to be fit for Newcastle's game at Chelsea on Saturday.

Newcastle have never won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League and their bid to end a miserable set of results in West London will not be helped should Taylor miss out.

The influential central defender is struggling with a stomach injury and has missed Newcastle's last two games against Fulham and Wigan.

Taylor remains hopeful of making the trip south but if Saturday's game comes too soon, a return against Middlesbrough a week later has been pencilled in.

"I am doing everything I can to be available for selection on Saturday, but I still haven't been able to train properly," he told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

"And if I don't make it for Chelsea then I will be very optimistic of being ready for the game at Middlesbrough a week on Saturday."