Operation for Taylor

Last updated : 30 May 2003 By Tony Scholes

It was reported on other web sites that Taylor had played the full ninety minutes after starting for the first time in over five years for his adopted country. But that wasn’t the case and injury forced the Burnley striker off the field early in the second half.

He picked up an injury in the latter stages of the first half in a collision with Preston’s Eddie Lewis and was unable to run it off.

It wasn’t considered to be anything serious at first but it has since been confirmed that it is a cartilage injury that will require surgery.

Gareth is likely to have the surgery immediately and that should mean he is ready and available for the start of the new season, presumably at Burnley after Barry Kilby shrugged off an enquiry from Norwich.

The next game for Wales is not until 20th August when they take on Serbia and Montenegro in Belgrade. This is a European qualifier that apparently is not being classed as a full international. The dealings of the footballing bodies never cease to surprise.

By then Taylor should have played two league games and a Worthington Cup tie for the Clarets and with the lack of status for this game it should mean him missing none of our games. That is unless the Football League decide on league fixtures in the second midweek of the season.