Newcastle's Ryan Taylor out for months with cruciate injury

Ryan Taylor

Newcastle defender Ryan Taylor will be out for several months after suffering cruciate knee ligament damage.

Taylor, 28, was injured in Thursday's 1-0 Europa League win over Atromitos and the severity was confirmed in a scan on Friday.

Manager Alan Pardew has decided to use James Perch and James Tavernier as cover rather than sign a replacement.

The versatile Taylor joined from Wigan in 2009 and made 23 Premier League starts last season.