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Former Newcastle United hero Steven Taylor looking forward to playing Sunderland in the Championship next season

Newcastle's Steven Taylor (Reuters)
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The Ipswich Town defender has been sharing his experiences with Sunderland fans.

Newcastle United's Steven Taylor celebratesNewcastle United’s Steven Taylor celebrates

Former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has been discussing his hopes of potentially facing Sunderland again next season.

31-year-old Taylor grew up on Tyneside and spent 21 years with the club before his departure last summer. Once touted as a future England captain, his career at Newcastle was eventually hampered by a litany of serious injuries.

Throughout his time at the club he developed an almost rancid level of disapproval from the Sunderland fans.

Now Taylor is at Ipswich, after a brief spell at Portland Timbers across the Atlantic.

Speaking to the Daily Mail this week he spoke of his hope of facing Sunderland next season, as the Black Cats continue to fight relegation to the Championship.

He stated:

“I could be facing them as an Ipswich player next season, absolutely, but as a Newcastle fan, I hope that Newcastle do go up and play against them next year because as a Newcastle fan, you always thrive on those derby games.

“On a personal level, it would be great to play them. Having 46,000 Mackems singing the ‘Steven Taylor, we wish you were dead’ song again would take the pressure off my team-mates. I’ll take the hassle from them, no problem at all.”

Newcastle's Steven TaylorNewcastle’s Steven Taylor

Of course, much will depend on Taylor himself remaining at Portman Road. His contract with the Tractor Boys is only until the summer and he has only played two games for the Suffolk club since making his move.

But wherever Taylor does end up playing football, rest assured he will always relish a clash with his old enemy Sunderland.