Steven Taylor: Newcastle defender out after hamstring surgery

Steven Taylor has made two Premier League appearances for Newcastle this season

Newcastle centre-back Steven Taylor has been ruled out for a couple of months after surgery on a hamstring injury.

Taylor, 29, has missed Newcastle's last two Premier League fixtures and boss Steve McClaren said he required an operation to solve the problem.

"He's had a small operation to repair the damage. Unfortunately it looks like he'll be out for a couple of months," McClaren told the club website.

Taylor is Newcastle's longest-serving defender having made his debut in 2004.

Newcastle are winless in the league so far this season and host Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup third round on Wednesday.