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Sol Partnership Would Be Taylor-Made
Written by Newcastle Utd
A fully-fit Steven Taylor is ready to form a new defensive pairing alongside Sol Campbell against Chelsea
By Dan King
Steven Taylor is relishing the prospect of partnering Sol Campbell against Chelsea on Sunday, with the pair set to come in for suspended duo Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson against the league champions.
Most clubs would struggle if both of their first-choice centre-backs were ruled out at once, but Newcastle are in the fortunate position of having Taylor, regarded as one of the country's most promising defenders, and much-decorated England international Campbell to step in.
And Taylor, who has recently recovered from the shoulder injury which kept him out of the first two-and-a-half months of the season, believes he can strike up an immediate partnership with Campbell, having kept a clean sheet in their only previous outing together.
He told www.nufc.co.uk: "We've got fantastic defenders at the club and I think that's been proved with Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson doing well this season.
"Playing with Sol Campbell would be fantastic. We played in the Reserve match against against Man City last week, and I had a good partnership with him there in a 1-0 win, so it would be good if we get the opportunity."
The defender has waited patiently for his chance, having been an unused substitute in each of United's last five games since returning to the squad for the 5-1 win over Sunderland, and feels ready to slot back into action.
"I'm available for selection," he said. "I'm fit, and I've bided my time for the past few games. Now I'm hoping to get my chance.
"All you can do it wait for your chance and wait for the gaffer to pick you, and if I do get my chance I'll look forward to it."