Taylor tonic

CHRIS Taylor feared he had broken his ankle at Brentford . . . but could be fit in a month’s time.

Out of contract in the summer, the 25-year-old winger was carried off the pitch in Athletic’s defeat at Griffin Park two weeks ago in pain after a heavy tackle from Clinton Morrison.

Initial fears of severe ligament damage, put any move to a Championship club in doubt.

Taylor’s ankle has since responded to treatment and he is set to be ready for pre-season training — whichever club he may be with by that time.

“Jon Guy (Athletic’s physio) reckons six weeks, touch wood. It has been two already. I will definitely be fit for pre-season now. I just wish I was playing. I am not a good spectator.”

Taylor has been offered an improved deal to stay at Boundary Park, but contract talks have broken down twice.

While not ruling out the possibility that he could ultimately extend his decade-long association with Athletic, he feels the time is right to test himself at a higher level.

“I have never planned how I would want to leave and though I wouldn’t want it to be through injury, these things happen in football.”




The full version of this story can be seen in our print and eChron editions