Steven Taylor ready to commit to long-term contract at Newcastle

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Newcastle chiefs risked losing one of their most prized assets after dragging their heels over offering him fresh terms and allowing his current deal to run down.

Staying: Steven Taylor ready to commit to Toon

But, just as the England Under-21 centre-back was bracing himself for an unwanted departure from his hometown club, Newcastle's board have indicated a willingness to negotiate a pay hike that would put him in line with other senior players.

Meanwhile the club's new managing director Derek Llambias has given his backing to Kevin Keegan despite an increasingly strained relationship between the manager and his London-based board.

Llambias succeeds Chris Mort, who officially stepped down as club chairman yesterday after just 12 months in the role, and will head up a new boardroom structure along with executive directors Dennis Wise and David Williamson.

Keegan is becomingly increasingly marginalised in key decisions, but Llambias said: 'I firmly believe we have the right people with the right expertise, with Kevin Keegan back as manager and being fully supported by Mike Ashley and the directors, to take the club forward.'