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Steven Taylor's long road to recovery

Monday 12th December 2011

Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor ruptured his Achilles tendon in a match against Chelsea in early December and now faces the long road back to recovery.

The central defender was injured after an innocuous challenge during a 3-0 defeat to the London side at the Sports Direct Arena and was immediately told by the club's physiotherapist Derek Wright that he would need surgery to repair the damaged ligament.

Taylor told the BBC: "I hobbled off to the dressing room and Newcastle's physio Derek Wright took a look at me. I asked him what was wrong. When he said, 'It's not too good Steven', my heart sank. I've known Derek for years and he doesn't sugar-coat bad news."

Newcastle's star player was admitted to surgery and after the operation was put on a series of drugs to prevent a blood clot in the damaged leg. Whilst recovering the player has to endure extensive physiotherapy sessions to make sure the leg is strong enough to play again.

Before recent breakthroughs into sport science an Achilles tendon injury was considered to be career-ending but now the player will be expected to be back playing first-team football in time for the new season in August 2012.

Despite the positive surgery, Taylor still feels aggrieved to have his season halted by the injury.

He said: "I have to inject myself in the stomach each morning with penicillin and take tablets to stop potential blood clots. Having to do this just brings home how serious this is. As I hold the needle in my hand it all feels very surreal. I should be on the training pitch getting ready to face Norwich City [December 10th fixture] and instead I am having to make sure my injury doesn't get worse."

This type of injury is quite common within the sport as footballers are subject to robust challenges in every game and Taylor is not the only one to suffer this type of injury as Aston Villa midfielder Jermaine Jenas ruptured his Achilles tendon in a game against Manchester United on the same weekend.

Jenas is also not expected to play again this season.

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written by Angela Newbury