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Taylor: Wants new deal

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Steven Taylor admits that he is concerned by the lack of progress in his contract talks with Newcastle.

The defender's current deal is set to expire at the end of next season and as yet he has been unable to agree an extension.

As a Geordie, Taylor's commitment to the Magpies' cause cannot be questioned and the centre-half hopes that he will not be put in a situation where he is forced to walk away from his beloved St James' Park.

Desperate

"I'm desperate to stay, especially with Kevin Keegan now in charge," the England U21 skipper told the Daily Star.

"But I hate the fact that I've got 13 months left on my contract. Every day that's passing, I'm wondering if it's a day nearer to me leaving.

"Believe me, that's the last thing I want.

"Everyone knows that I'm desperate to commit myself to this club but the deal has got to be right."

Taylor endured an up-and-down season last year, falling out of favour under Sam Allardyce before returning to the fold once Keegan returned to Tyneside in January.

He admits that he experienced a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the 2007/08 campaign, but is already looking forward to establishing himself from the start once the new season gets under way in August.

Devastating

"When you're playing for the club you love it means so much and it's devastating when you're not even in the squad," he said.

"All sorts of things go through your mind.

"Thankfully things have picked up and there's real light at the end of the tunnel with Kevin Keegan as manager here again.

"He's the most honest guy I've ever come across in the game. He wears his heart on his sleeve all the time.

"But above all he commands the respect of everyone because of what he's done in the game and the dressing room is 100 per cent behind him.

"All the players can't wait for the new season because we believe the future is really bright at Newcastle.

"And it goes without saying that I want to be a big part of it."