Newcastle's Ryan Taylor out for months with cruciate injury

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.