. . . injured defender pays club tribute
Swans defender Neil Taylor has confirmed he is close to signing a new contract at the Liberty Stadium.
Despite being ruled out for the rest of the Barclays Premier League season with a badly broken ankle, Taylor has paid tribute to the club for showing faith in his ability to bounce back from an injury that surgeons felt could have been “career-threatening”.
While the Welsh international is expected to make a full recovery, Taylor is confident of making his come-back next season armed with a new deal and the Swans still playing Premier League football.
“We’ve been talking about a new contract for a few months now – and we were very close before the injury happened,’’ explained Taylor, who was stretchered off against Sunderland 10 days ago with a triple fracture.
“But in fairness to the club they have already said they will honour the new deal despite the fact that I won’t play again this season. The way they have handled it speaks volumes about the club and the Board.’’
And while nobody at the Liberty Stadium is getting carried away with the excellent start Michael Laudrup’s men have made to the new campaign with seven points from the opening nine Taylor, who still has two years left on his current contract, is confident he’ll still be a Premier League footballer when he returns next season.
“I want to come back fitter and stronger next season,’’ added the 23 year-old. “And I’m happy in the knowledge that if I get my rehab right then I’m confident Swansea City will still be in the Premier League.
“There is a very good feeling within the camp at the moment. Without getting carried away, everyone is riding high on confidence after a great start.
“I believe we’ve not only got a great chance of staying up, but we’ll get stronger as the season progresses.’’
Taylor has been overwhelmed with the amount of support he’s received since the injury – highlighted by his Wales team-mates wearing ‘Get Well Soon Taylz’ t-shirts before last week’s international against Belgium.
* The club has also entered discussions with Ashley Williams and goalkeepers Michel Vorm and David Cornell regarding contract extensions.