FIT-AGAIN Steven Taylor has revealed how impressed he is with new manager Alan Pardew since his arrival at Newcastle, after he made it clear he wants the defender to stay on Tyneside.

Pardew took over from Chris Hughton days after the 24-year-old made his long-awaited comeback from a shoulder injury which kept him side-lined for 10 months.

The former England under-21 captain is yet to sign a new contract with the club he has been at his entire career but admits it was music to his ears when the new manager made it clear he wants the Greenwich-born defender to stay at St James' Park.

Speaking at the launch of The Longsands version of the Blaydon Races in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Taylor said: "I have been very impressed with the new manager.

 

"Since he came in, he has been absolutely spot-on. Within a day or two of him coming in, he sat me down in his office and made it clear he wants me to be here.

"It was music to my ears when he told me he wanted to stay. That's the best possible thing that could have happened to me, for a new manager to come in and tell me how much he wants me to stay.

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I don't want to be unwanted. For him to say he wanted me here and will do everything he can for me was brilliant. Everyone knows how much I want to stay here.

"He just wants to get the ball rolling. For me, he has been first class. It was just what I needed.

"After everything that has gone on this year, it looks like 2010 could end on a happy note. I just want to be playing football for Newcastle."

It's been a difficult year for the defender, who could only watch from the stands as his side romped to the Championship title, but with his injury problems now firmly behind him, Taylor is happy to be back in the side and is focusing on getting more games under his belt for the Magpies.

Pardew has now had a few weeks to train and get to know his players and despite the controversy surrounding his arrival - including rumours of player unrest - Taylor admits he is impressed by what he has seen so far and insists the squad are 100 per cent behind their new boss.

"He is a man's man and IÂ have a lot of respect for him and I know that all the players feel the same way about him," the 26-year-old defender said.

"There was a lot going on when he first arrived and no-one really knew how to take him but from the first time he met us, the way he has come across to the players, he has been absolutely unbelievable. 

"The training sessions have been fantastic and it's fair to say the players have taken an instant shine to him."

"It's been a difficult year for me with injuries but it looks as if it could be finishing on a high.

"Pre-season, I was where I wanted to be looking forward to the campaign ahead only for me to get that freak shoulder injury in our first pre-season game at Carlisle.

"It was a massive blow to me after being injured last season. All I wanted to do was start playing again so to have another three and a half months on the side-lines was a nightmare.

"I just had to get on with it and come back as quickly as I could. I have played a few games now and I am not looking back, just forward."

* Blaydon Races by the Longsands is available to buy from HMV or Steels Wheels in Newcastle with proceeds going to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.