Taylor: Talks planned

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Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is confident he will be able to agree a new deal at St James' Park.

The highly-rated centre-back's current contract expires at the end of next season and he rejected the club's initial offer back in September.

But chairman Chris Mort has confirmed the Magpies' desire to retain Taylor's services, and the defender would be happy to put pen to paper in the North East.

He told Sky Sports News: "I'm a Newcastle United player for 13 more months and hopefully I'll get a new contract, that's what I'm playing for now.

"We've got one more game left this season, and then we'll take it from there.

"Hopefully we can come to some agreement, I'm sure we can. Everyone knows I want to be at the football club, so we'll take it from there."

Keegan

And Taylor believes Kevin Keegan is the right man to lead Newcastle, after speculation mounted over his future.

The Magpies manager is to meet owner Mike Ashley in London on Friday after admitting his belief that the club could not challenge the top four.

Taylor added: "He's got the respect of every single player, the staff and all the people involved with the football club. The fans absolutely love him.

"This club will be moving forward, and hopefully next season with Kevin Keegan it will be.

"It shows how much he loves this club, he wants this club to succeed. We are going forward and the form of late has been good.

"At the start of the season our performances weren't the best, but the fans stuck behind us through hard times.

"Of late, they've been absolutely fantastic, and hopefully next season we can give them something to shout about."