STEVEN Taylor has claimed that Newcastle have the resources to spring a surprise at Chelsea tomorrow, despite the absence of both himself and skipper Alan Shearer.

Shearer had been hoping to feature against the Premiership pacesetters after undergoing a hernia operation in Germany during the international break.

But, while the surgery was a success and the 35-year-old has already returned to full training, he will not be risked as the Magpies look to earn their first win at Stamford Bridge for 19 years.

With Stephen Carr and Albert Luque also ruled out as they continue to recover from injury problems of their own, and Kieron Dyer hampered by illness, Taylor's absence will make it five senior professionals on the sidelines.

The teenager dislocated his shoulder while training with England Under-21s last week and could be out for anything up to two months.

The injury is merely the latest setback to have hampered the Magpies this season but, while Graeme Souness has described his side's latest problems as a "blow", Taylor is confident his team-mates can cope with the enforced absences.

"Every time there have been changes, we have handled it," said Taylor, whose only previous absence this season came as a result of his dismissal against Fulham.

"We are all comfortable playing with each other, we do it all the time on the training ground so when things have to be switched around, it doesn't cause us problems.

"Whenever someone new has to be thrown in, it hasn't bothered us. It's something we have learned how to deal with. We all know we can perform and, whenever someone else gets a chance, they are determined to show what they can do."

Taylor's absence leaves Newcastle with just three fit centre-halves. As if that were not bad enough, one of those - Peter Ramage - is slotting in at right-back to cover for Carr.

The situation is hardly ideal given Titus Bramble and Jean-Alain Boumsong's flawed fitness record and their lack of time together this season.

Bramble will be making only his fourth start of the campaign tomorrow against a Chelsea side who have scored 12 more goals than anyone else in the Premiership.

Taylor admits that a settled back four would be preferable but, with further changes unavoidable, he has complete faith in the players who will take on the champions.

"We have not had a settled back four all season," he said. "But every time there have been changes, we have handled it.

"Peter Ramage has done a fantastic job since he has come in and Titus and Jean-Alain are both quality defenders.

"The aim is always to get a settled back four but we have been unable to do that so far this season and it hasn't been a problem."

In fact, Newcastle's numerous alterations have been accompanied by a series of impressive displays at the back. After a shaky start the Magpies have kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight games.

Taylor's form has been instrumental in that run but, rather than taking the credit, the teenager is quick to highlight the role played by goalkeeper Shay Given.

The Republic of Ireland international has been in typically sparkling form this term, with last month's sensational performance at Portsmouth kick-starting a sequence of eye-catching displays.

"Having Shay Given behind you is a massive bonus to whoever plays," said Taylor. "His presence is so important. He talks to us for 90 minutes.

"He is always watching where players are going and making sure we stay focused for 90 minutes and never switch off. Having him there is a massive factor."

"He performs all the time and he is a really consistent goalkeeper. To have that in your side is a massive positive for us."

* Graeme Souness has admitted that Lee Bowyer is keen to return to London, but denied that he is considering selling the midfielder when the transfer window re-opens.

Aston Villa boss David O'Leary is preparing to make a formal offer for Bowyer in January, with Souness eyeing a move for the versatile Gareth Barry in return.

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