Newcastle ready to sell Steven Taylor

Newcastle have placed central defender Steven Taylor on the transfer list.

The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and the Magpies want to cash in now rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.

A club statement confirmed: "Newcastle have placed Steven Taylor on the transfer list. The club will be making no further comment at this time."

Local lad Taylor, who played 29 times for England Under-21s, was seen as a rising star a few years ago but injuries and controversy have slowed his progress.

He missed the second half of last season as Newcastle won the Championship, firstly having been ruled out with a knee injury.

And then, as he was close to a first-team return in March, he suffered a fractured jaw in a training ground bust-up with Andy Carroll.

He is currently sidelined after dislocating a shoulder during pre-season, an injury that is expected to keep him out for around three months.