STEVEN Taylor will continue his international development with England Under-21s this evening, but the blossoming Newcastle centre-half has admitted that representing his country is a poor second to playing for his club.

Taylor, who captained England's team in the 2003 World Youth Championships in Dubai, will win his eighth Under-21 cap at Elland Road tonight as Peter Taylor's side take on their Austrian counterparts.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a smooth transition through the international ranks but, despite his successes, it is Newcastle's fortunes that continue to dominate his thoughts.

Taylor is fiercely proud of his North-Eastern roots, despite being born in Greenwich.

And, with the likes of Alan Shearer, Lee Clark, Robbie Elliott and Shola Ameobi lending the current Newcastle squad a distinctly homegrown flavour, he would rather be playing for the Geordie nation than his true national side.

"I love pulling on an England shirt," said Taylor, who has missed just one United game all season. "But, for me, it still doesn't beat the thrill I get from playing for Newcastle United.

"Playing international football helps my game, but I love playing for my club and even playing for my country doesn't come close."

Nevertheless, Taylor's efforts have helped to take England's youngsters to November's European Championships final play-offs.

This week's games - tonight's match with Austria is followed by Tuesday's tie with Poland - will determine whether England pick up the six points needed to top their qualifying group and earn a favourable draw in the next phase.

Two wins are essential and Taylor is happy to have some added pressure on his shoulders this week.

"I'm used to it now," he said. "I've been with the Under-21s for a while and, having played for England through the youth levels, I'm used to people expecting us to win.

"These experiences are what I need to improve as a player. We know what we have to do to win the group and we are confident we can do it. If we could get two positive results, it would cap a good few weeks for me."

Despite his dismissal in Newcastle's 3-0 win at Blackburn, Taylor has played a key role in his club's recent rise up the Premiership table.

Titus Bramble's continuing hamstring problems mean he will continue to partner Jean-Alain Boumsong at the heart of the Magpies defence and the teenager is hoping for more of the same when Graeme Souness' side resume their domestic duties at Wigan.

"We are a lot happier going into this international break than the last one," said Taylor. "We would have taken eight points from the last four games, definitely.

"I thought the Manchester City game was a great win for us, just what we needed.

"There is so much more confidence now. You can see it in the way we train and the way we play.

"We didn't get the breaks at the start of the season, playing Arsenal in the first game and suffering the injuries we have.

"But it is starting to come together now. We have some players back and we will be a lot better when we get everyone back. Hopefully, that will come soon."

*Michael Chopra is expected to be in contention for a place in the 16-man squad that travels to Wigan on October 15 despite jarring his knee in Tuesday night's reserves game against the same opposition.

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