Taylor To Make Reserve Return

By Dan King

Steven Taylor will make his comeback from a shoulder injury when Newcastle face Wigan Reserves on Tuesday afternoon.

The Geordie defender landed badly in pre-season against Carlisle in what was his first game since January, when he suffered a knee injury against West Brom.

But he returned to full training last Monday, made the substitutes bench against Sunderland at the weekend and will now look to cement his return at the Robin Park Arena (kick-off 2pm).

Taylor told www.nufc.co.uk: "I was delighted to make the bench against Sunderland and I felt ready to play a part if I'd been called upon.

"To prove my fitness, I just want to play as many games as possible now and I'm looking forward to playing against Wigan. If I come through that as expected, I'll hope to make the bench again at Arsenal next weekend and then look to try and force my way back into the starting line-up.

"It'll just be nice to be out there playing again after such a long time and I'm excited for it."

Also returning to Peter Beardsley's second-string squad after a lengthy absence is Dan Leadbitter, who has had terrible luck with injury in recent months.

Haris Vuckic, who did well against Arsenal in the Carling Cup in midweek, is also set to start against The Latics.

The full squad is: Ole Soderberg, Jak Alnwick, James Tavernier, Paul Dummett, Steven Taylor, Matthew Grieve, Jeff Henderson, Dan Leadbitter, Michael Richardson, Ryan Donaldson, Joan Edmundsson, Shane Ferguson, Patrick McLaughlin, Conor Newton, Haris Vuckic, Phil Airey.