STEVEN TAYLOR was always confident Newcastle United’s emerging crop of youngsters were ready for life in the Premier League – but the centre-half has warned them the hard work has only begun.

The Magpies’ recent revival has been sparked, in part, by the sudden appearance of a group of youngsters who have made a significant impact in recent games, with Alan Pardew leaving a number of more experienced players on the sidelines in order to accommodate them into the team.

Of the 14 players that were involved in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Liverpool, four were aged 22 or under, with goalscorer Ayoze Perez 21 and fellow substitute Rolando Aarons still a fortnight short of his 19th birthday.

Throw in Mehdi Abeid, who was making his first Premier League start, and Sammy Ameobi, who is finally starting to deliver on his obvious promise, and you have a youthful core that has not been evident for a number of seasons.

Having watched the quartet in training for the last year or so, Taylor never doubted their ability to handle themselves in the Premier League. But having made his own top-flight debut at the age of 18, the defender is only too aware that things can become more difficult once the initial euphoria of breaking into the senior ranks begins to fade.

“I’ve seen them (the young players) day in, day out in training, and have seen what they can do,” said Taylor. “They graft so hard and fully deserve a chance, and that’s why the manager has given them the opportunities he has.

“I was in the same situation when I first started, and you need to wait for your chance. But then when you get your chance, you’ve got to take it.

“Now, they’ve got to step up to the plate, and they’re certainly doing that so far. You don’t get time nowadays. When I first started as a young player, you would get older heads (helping you). Now, we’re in a game where you have to be ready for it. If you’re not ready, go and find another job.”

The promotion of so many younger players to the senior side has helped add some energy and enthusiasm to the ranks, and that in turn has raised the tempo of Newcastle’s play in both attack and defence.

The Magpies’ counter-attacking attributes were apparent as they won at both Tottenham and Manchester City, and there were times in the closing stages of Saturday’s game when Pardew’s side threatened to add to their advantage as Liverpool left holes in their defence.

Just as importantly, Newcastle’s players were quick to harry and press their opponents when they did not have possession, and the adoption of a high-tempo, pressing style is likely to provide a strong hint of how they will look to play in the majority of matches this season.

“We’re trying to take the game to a lot of teams, and we’ve said if you give anyone time on the ball, they’re going to hurt you,” said Taylor. “Especially with the quality in the Premier League, you can’t afford to do that.

“For us, it has been good so far, and our midfield was spot on again on Saturday, with Mehdi coming in there. A lot of people probably didn’t know what the team was going to be, but he came in and was absolutely outstanding in there. He was against Manchester City, and it (the start) was fully deserved.

“The team that is out there, we just make sure we work hard for each other. We’ve said that if we carry one person, things aren’t going to go well for us. The Premier League is so difficult and there are no easy games any more.

“Years ago, you might fancy yourself to win, but now, every game is a difficult one. On Saturday, we beat a top side in Liverpool. They were well-organised and had pace in their attack, but we limited their chances and I think if we do that and get in and amongst anyone, we can cause problems.”

The sudden emergence of Abeid, Aarons and Ameobi has been unexpected, but Taylor’s recent renaissance was no easier to predict a few months ago given his own lengthy spell out of the team.

Having only made nine Premier League starts in the whole of last season, Taylor found himself subordinate to Mike Williamson in the opening seven games of the current campaign.

His return has coincided with Newcastle’s best spell of the season, with the 28-year-old partnering Fabricio Coloccini to help record two clean sheets in the last three games.

“You’ve got to keep working hard in training, and that’s what I’ve done,” he said. “I did my extra stuff, kept my head down, didn’t moan and I’m just glad to be playing.

“There’s nothing better than running out at St James’. This is what it’s all about, being a professional footballer. You can’t tell me anything’s better than this.”

* Gabriel Obertan will be sidelined until at least the New Year after an initial set of scans on his injured thigh revealed significant damage.

The Magpies winger pulled up clutching his thigh in the first half of Saturday's 1-0 win over Liverpool, and while further tests will be required to ascertain the full extent of the problem, the initial signs are not good.

Obertan's injury is believed to be similar to the thigh problem that has sidelined Siem de Jong since September, and he is unlikely to be available until the start of 2015 at the earliest.

The Frenchman's latest injury setback has come at the worst possible time, as after a prolonged spell out of the team, he had just forced his way back into Alan Pardew's plans.