• Premier League

Newcastle defender Taylor heads to US for surgery

ESPN staff
May 15, 2013
Ryan Taylor is hoping to save his career © PA Photos
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Newcastle United's Ryan Taylor has flown to the United States in order to undergo an operation that it is hoped will rescue his career.

The 28-year-old intends to visit renowned surgeon Dr Richard Steadman, who is famed for his work with Premier League stars including Michael Owen, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Alan Shearer. Taylor hopes the visit will see an end to the knee injury that has kept him out of action for most of this season.

Confirming the news via his Twitter account, Taylor said: "Loads asking am I going to see Dr Steadman, I sure am. I'm over to have my ACL repaired again. Then the recovery begins to get back."

The former Wigan defender has endured a catastrophic campaign after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament during the 1-0 win in the second leg of Newcastle's Europa League qualifier against FC Atromitos in August. Forced to endure nine months of rehabilitation, Taylor had hoped to finally make his return for the club in April.

However those dreams were dashed when during a routine session the player's leg gave way - sparking genuine concerns that he may be unable to return from this latest setback.

Speaking at the time manager Alan Pardew revealed how rare the situation is. "For somebody to battle back from the cruciate injury like he [Taylor] has and get right to the end of the road, it hasn't happened often to professional players," he said.

"For it to go again, the surgeon explained there was about a 5% chance of that happening. It kind of rounds off the season for us."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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