Carroll & Nolan celebrate Newcastle's Premier League return
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Steven Taylor's jaw broken after 'bust-up' with Newcastle team-mate - claimed to be striker Andy Carroll
Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has suffered a suspected broken jaw in a training ground incident believed to involve team-mate Andy Carroll.
Former England Under 21 captain Taylor has only just returned to training after a lengthy lay-off with a serious knee injury.
The 24-year-old, who was last week named Newcastle's Sport Personality of the Year, has undergone two months of rigorous rehabilitation in a bid to return to the side. But his season is almost certainly over now.
Another injury: Taylor is certain to miss the rest of the season with a broken jaw
Newcastle United refused to comment on reports that Taylor's broken jaw was a result of a training ground spat with top scorer Carroll, who has played such an important role in the club's promotion campaign.
Sources close to the defender and the Newcastle squad also refused to comment on the speculation.
It is believed the bust-up was the climax of on-going tensions between the pair due to Taylor's £30,000-a-week salary, compared to Carroll's estimated £10,000.
Carroll is currently on bail and awaiting a Crown Court trial over a charge of assault in an alleged incident in a Newcastle city centre nightclub last year.
The England Under 21 striker, whose late equaliser at Bristol City on Saturday helped maintain Newcastle's lead at the top of the Championship, is due back in court at the end of April.
He is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Michael Cook in the Blu Bambu club in December. It was alleged in Newcastle Magistrates Court last month that Carroll smashed a glass into Mr Cook's face.
Accused: It is claimed Carroll hurt Taylor at training
This latest incident will be an unwelcome distraction for manager Chris Hughton as he prepares to take his side to Doncaster tonight. Carroll, who took his season's goal tally to 15 at Ashton Gate, has been included in the squad travelling to the Keepmoat Stadium.
Also in the squad is controversial midfielder Joey Barton - himself no stranger to a courtroom - who is back in contention for the first time since September after he came through a reserve team run-out last week and suffered no setback with his troublesome foot.
Before news of Taylor's injury surfaced last night, Hughton said the Greenwich-born central defender had a chance of returning before the end of the season.
Hughton said: 'We said last week that he was probably three or four weeks away and he's had the brace taken off his knee that he had to use.'
Ironically, the Newcastle manager also said a lack of off-the-field incidents at the club had helped his players focus on returning to the Barclays Premier League after the shock of last season's relegation.
Hughton said: 'The biggest reason is where we are in the league. The fact we've been top for most of the season and the fact we've shown enough good things on the pitch has allowed the fans to have more good weeks than bad.
'It gives them optimism for next season that we're going in the right direction. The fans are some of the most important people around the club and it's important for them to have a winning team.'
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Carroll gets a smacker from Kevin Nolan
ANDY CARROLL gets a smacker from Kevin Nolan after firing Newcastle closer to a Premier League return.
Striker Carroll, 21, started the day in disgrace when a bust-up with team-mate Steve Taylor left the defender in hospital with a broken jaw.
And he repaid the faith of boss Chris Hughton by hitting the winner at Hughton's starting line-up for last night's vital Championship clash.
Owner Mike Ashley and his right-hand man Derek Llambias were furious at the bust-up - exclusively revealed in SunSport yesterday - and could have insisted on axing Carroll. But they decided to stick with Toon's 16- goal top-scorer.
Carroll, 21, had hospital treatment for damage to his hands and ran out wearing gloves. Taylor, 24, was released from Newcastle General's orthopaedic trauma ward last night after being kept in overnight for observation.
Northumbria police say they have not been informed of the incident. But Ashley and Llambias have launched an internal investigation and look certain to hit Carroll with a maximum fine of two weeks' wages, around £20,000.
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nothing to be happy about.
with the status of newcastle, they shouldnt even be down. so to return to top is something expected of them.
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Unlike other clubs who get relegated, luckily newcastle still managed to keep the bulk of their players.
