Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has suffered a suspected broken
jaw in a training ground incident believed to involve team-mate
Andy Carroll.
Former England Under 21 captain Taylor has only just returned to
training after a lengthy lay-off with a serious knee injury.
The 24-year-old, who was last week named Newcastle's
Sport Personality of the
Year, has undergone two months of rigorous rehabilitation in
a bid to return to the side. But his season is almost certainly
over now.
Another injury: Taylor is certain to miss the rest
of the season with a broken jaw
Newcastle United refused to comment on reports that Taylor's
broken jaw was a result of a training ground spat with top scorer
Carroll, who has played such an important role in the club's
promotion campaign.
Sources close to the defender and the Newcastle squad also
refused to comment on the speculation.
It is believed the bust-up was the climax of on-going tensions
between the pair due to Taylor's £30,000-a-week salary, compared to
Carroll's estimated £10,000.
Carroll is currently on bail and awaiting a Crown Court trial
over a charge of assault in an alleged incident in a Newcastle city
centre nightclub last year.
The England Under 21 striker, whose late equaliser at Bristol
City on Saturday helped maintain Newcastle's lead at the top of the
Championship, is due back in court at the end of April.
He is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against
Michael Cook in the Blu Bambu club in December. It was alleged in
Newcastle Magistrates Court last month that Carroll smashed a glass
into Mr Cook's face.
Accused: It is claimed Carroll hurt Taylor at
training
This latest incident will be an unwelcome distraction for
manager Chris Hughton as he prepares to take his side to Doncaster
tonight. Carroll, who took his season's goal tally to 15 at Ashton
Gate, has been included in the squad travelling to the Keepmoat
Stadium.
Also in the squad is controversial midfielder Joey Barton -
himself no stranger to a courtroom - who is back in contention for
the first time since September after he came through a reserve team
run-out last week and suffered no setback with his troublesome
foot.
Before news of Taylor's injury surfaced last night, Hughton said
the Greenwich-born central defender had a chance of returning
before the end of the season.
Hughton said: 'We said last week that he was probably three or
four weeks away and he's had the brace taken off his knee that he
had to use.'
Ironically, the Newcastle manager also said a lack of
off-the-field incidents at the club had helped his players focus on
returning to the Barclays Premier League after the shock of last
season's relegation.
Hughton said: 'The biggest reason is where we are in the league.
The fact we've been top for most of the season and the fact we've
shown enough good things on the pitch has allowed the fans to have
more good weeks than bad.
'It gives them optimism for next season that we're going in the
right direction. The fans are some of the most important people
around the club and it's important for them to have a winning
team.'
