Steven Taylor says he should be back in action for Newcastle United in the upcoming Tyner-Wear derby with arch rivals Sunderland.
The centre-back has missed the last two Magpies matches with a calf injury but feels he will be ready for the Black Cats when his side heads over to the Stadium of Light on October 21.
"The main thing for me is being 100 per cent fit for the Sunderland game," he told the Magpies official website.
"And I didn't want to prepare for that match carrying any little niggles or anything like that.
"The medical staff has been spot on - like they always are - and hopefully taking that little bit of extra time on the injury will enable me to be fit for the game at the Stadium of Light.
"I'm due back in full training next Tuesday, a full five days before the derby, and until then I'll keep on top of my fitness and conditioning work while a lot of the lads are away on international duty."
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