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Magpies chairman determined to keep Taylor at club

23/04/2008

Newcastle United chairman Chris Mort has vowed to keep Steven Taylor at the club.

Defender Taylor rejected the Magpies' contract offer in September, and is still stalling on new terms.

The England Under-21 skipper has been linked with moves to Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports.

Mort said his main priority this summer is to keep Taylor and striker Michael Owen at St James' Park.

"Steven Taylor is a young and very promising defender in the team, Mort said.

"We would like him to stay at Newcastle United long term.

"We will sit down with Steven and his father, and hopefully work something out."

Taylor is thought to be one of the lowest earners at the Magpies, because he signed his last contract before he became a first-team regular.

The defender, who was brought up in Newcastle, has been represented by dad Alf throughout his career. But the 22-year-old has now hired London-based agent Leon Angel to help look after his interests.

Taylor has been ever-present in Kevin Keegan's starting line-up, helping the Magpies build up a seven-match unbeaten run.

The centre-back is expected to start in Newcastle's trip to Upton Park on Saturday, with the north east club currently lying 12th in the Premier League table.