Steven's Tayl Of Recovery: Part One

Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor is currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles, suffered on New Year's Day against Burnley. While sidelined, the 29-year-old has agreed to write a regular blog for nufc.co.uk, and in the first instalment Taylor tells all about the early weeks of rehabilitation, watching from the stands and new head coach John Carver.

When I suffered the ruptured Achilles against Burnley it was a horrible feeling.

I remember three years ago, when I did the same thing on my right-hand-side, I felt like I had been kicked from behind and this was the same again. But no-one was around and it was just one of those freak injuries.

There was a weird sensation and in my head I knew immediately what I'd done but just didn't want to believe it.

When I did my right Achilles it was a four-and-a-half centimetre tear, but this is two-and-a-half, so it was not quite so bad and there was still a little bit of give in my foot. But it was still very painful and I was gutted that my season is over.

One thing I made sure I've never done in my career is get stretchered off the pitch, so I hobbled off instead, with the help of the physio, trying to disguise the pain.

I'm currently in a protective boot and on crutches for another week and then I will have a further week just with the boot.

To begin with, I had three wedges in the side of the boot and each week one has been taken away until I am ready to come out of it altogether.

Having an injury like this limits what you can do but I am still able to get through a lot of strength work in the gym at the training ground, while I am also doing ankle movements with the physios and they are working on the scar tissue as well.

I have also been doing some cardiovascular work on the rowing machine, with my leg out at the side, and once I am out of the protective boot will be using the Alter G machine, which is an anti-gravity treadmill.

Some players hate watching games from the stands when they are injured, but I don't find it too bad. As long as the team win, I'm happy, although it is frustrating when they lose and you are unable to help them out.

Of course I want to be out there, but if I'm injured there is nothing I can do to change that and I won't dwell on it. I just focus on getting back as quickly as possible by putting everything into my rehab.

The lads have been great with me. It was my birthday recently and they had got me a few presents to keep my spirits up - things like chocolates and sweets to try and fatten me up.

Premier League rules have changed this season, meaning injured players can no longer sit on the bench. But I will still be there at matches, in the stands, and will be in and around the squad as much as possible, helping in any way I can.

John Carver has got his chance as head coach until the end of the season and that has gone down very well in the dressing room. He is Newcastle daft and, more importantly, has got the respect of all the players, which is something you need.

JC has got a voice like the old wrestler, Ultimate Warrior. You hear it everywhere around the training ground and on the pitch, too.

But he is an excellent coach. He lets us have a little bit of fun and banter but then says 'right, let's get back down to work'. And that work is very, very tough.

He's trying things his different way and I think you can see from the recent performances, it's given us a bit of a spark.

We beat Hull last weekend and now need to put together a bit of a run. We've done it before, so we know we can do it. We've got a quality squad and believe in each other.

It's just about making sure it happens, and that starts this weekend against Stoke City.