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Steven Taylor set to return amid Newcastle injury crisis

Steven Taylor has played just twice since January
Image: Steven Taylor has played just twice since January

Steven Taylor is in line for just a third appearance in 13 months on Saturday with Newcastle facing a defensive crisis.

The former captain has been out with a hamstring injury since making a brief return to the first team in August, but Steve McClaren lost two centre-halves during Wednesday's 3-0 defeat at Everton.

Chancel Mbemba suffered an ankle problem which is awaiting diagnosis, while Jamaal Lascelles was sent off late in the game and is banned for West Brom's visit.

That leaves Taylor as the only realistic option to partner Fabricio Coloccini, and McClaren said: "He's the next one in line. It's great for him. He's been working hard, it's been a long time.

"It's very, very frustrating for him - he's a true Geordie, he's a Newcastle boy and he wears his heart on his sleeve. We will need that kind of character tomorrow and that commitment from him."

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Steve McClaren says he was shocked at the performance against Everton on Wednesday after he felt the club had started to improve in recent weeks.

McClaren expects to know "by the middle of next week" how bad Mbemba's injury is, and in the meantime he must prepare for the Albion game without a recognised left-back.

Paul Dummett aggravated a hamstring problem at Goodison Park and even Jack Colback, potentially a stopgap, has been ruled out.

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Necastle's Jamaal Lascelles was dismissed for this trip on Ross Barkley of Everton
Image: Jamaal Lascelles was sent off at Everton for tripping Ross Barkley

A deal for Guilherme Siqueira fell through before the transfer deadline, but McClaren has defended Newcastle's failure to sign a defender, saying: "There's no criticism there.

"We would never envisage that in one game, we would lose three defenders, two centre-halves especially."

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