Newcastle defender Ryan Taylor hopes to return to action from a long term knee injury at the start of next season.

The Liverpool-born defender ruptured ligaments twice in one year.

He had joined the Magpies after a four year spell at Wigan, incidentally scoring his first Premier League goal against Newcastle.

The set-piece specialist suffered his first knee ligament injury in a Europa League tie against Atromitos in August 2012, before suffering a recurrence of the injury at the end of last season.  

Taylor said he almost quit football, but his family have helped him to keep going through his rehabilitation: 

"Realistically, I would love to play from the start of next season, is it possible? I think it is but I have to listen to the right people," he told Sky Sports News.