Last Updated: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:37
Newcastle United have been rocked by the news that Steven Taylor will miss at least three months with a shoulder injury.
The defender, who was one of the Magpies top performers last season, suffered a dislocated shoulder in a pre-season game against Carlisle earlier this month.
Manager Chris Hughton had originally hoped the 24-year-old would be fit for United's opener against last season's league runners-up Manchester United.
However, after he underwent surgery Newcastle confirmed he will be out for up to three months. Taylor has had the same injury before and was out for four months in 2006.
The 51-year-old manager will be disappointed to lose one of his best players, but he will have new signing, ex-Arsenal centre-back Sol Campbell, to fill the gap left by Taylor.