Taylor to wear protective mask

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has been passed fit to take to the pitch against Stoke City but will wear a protective mask.

Newcastle defender to return to action against Stoke

Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has been passed fit to take to the pitch against Stoke City on Monday but will wear a protective mask. Taylor broke his nose during their 1-0 Premier League victory over Wigan Athletic at St James' Park last weekend and missed the Magpies' 4-3 extra-time defeat by Blackburn Rovers in the fourth round of the Carling Cup on Wednesday. However, the 25-year-old is now ready to play for Alan Pardew's side following an operation and will travel with the rest of the squad to the Britannia Stadium for their league encounter against Stoke. "Steven's had a small operation on his nose to set it again," said assistant manager John Carver. "He's getting his mask sorted out, and had the specialist come over here from America to make sure everything was okay with it. "If anything, the advantage of our game being on the Monday is that it's given us extra-time to recover. You look at Blackburn, and they go straight back in against Norwich for a tough game." Newcastle are unbeaten in the league after nine matches and are fourth in the table on 19 points, level with third-placed Chelsea and six behind leaders Manchester City.