Newcastle fans love their homegrown stars. Defender Steven Taylor is the latest North-East player that the supporters at St James' have taken to their hearts. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson speak to him ahead of tomorrow's game.

It is no coincidence that, when Newcastle's players run out of the tunnel at St James' Park, they are accompanied by the theme from "Local Hero". If there's one thing that Newcastle fans love, it's a homegrown star.

Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and Lee Clark aren't just revered because of their footballing abilities - it is geography as much as genuis that ensures their place in Geordie folklore.

But, for every Paul Gascoigne that goes on to greatness, there are countless local lads that fall by the wayside.

Football is cruel, and even being repeatedly tipped for the top is no guarantee of success. Needless to say, nowhere else on earth does tipping for the top quite like Newcastle.

Just ask Michael Chopra. The 21-year-old was 'the next big thing' as soon as he signed his first professional contract in December 2000.

But, despite becoming Newcastle's 100th Premiership player when he made his league debut at West Brom in 2003, Chopra will find himself in the rather more homely surroundings of Stockport's Edgeley Park this afternoon.

Nothing wrong with that of course, but not only is it not the top - it's not even the top of League One.

Given's Chopra's experiences in the last four years, defender Steven Taylor could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when the mantle of 'the likeliest lad' passed to him.

Born in Greenwich, Taylor's parents moved back to the North-East when he was just three months old and a childhood spent in Monkseaton made him the perfect candidate for those desperate for a new infusion of local blood.

The predictions became bolder when Taylor was made captain of England's Under-16 and Under-17 teams but, for every sage predicting greatness, there was a doom-monger arguing that he was bound to fail.

Tomorrow, the questions over whether Taylor would ever make it will be answered. Thirty-four of the 35 youngsters who progressed through Newcastle's School of Excellence with him will be living away from football. One, on the other hand, will be playing against the champions at Highbury.

"There were 35 of us in the School of Excellence and we were all quite close," said Taylor, who will make his 12th appearance of the season tomorrow.

"That put pressure on you straight away because it was difficult just to get a game. You had a half each and you had to impress straight away.

"People have come and gone since then and, of the 35 that set out, there's now only me left.

"People have said that I was marked out from a young age, but you hear that about loads of people.

"It was said about Michael, and it's been said about a lot of players before and since.

"I don't want to say things that will make people think 'He's going to be the one for the future'.

"You can build people up too much, but I know I've been lucky to get my place in the side. I've been fortunate, but I haven't achieved anything yet."

Luck has played its part - Taylor would probably have been kicking his heels in the reserves had Stephen Carr not seriously injured his knee - but the youngster has also had to display tremendous resilience to establish himself in the team.

His first big break came at Bolton last season when a defensive crisis forced Sir Bobby Robson to hand him his Premiership debut.

The novelty lasted for precisely four minutes, by which time Taylor had been brushed aside by Henrik Pedersen and conceded a goal which would ultimately prove to be the only one of the game.

Lesser players would have crumbled but, instead, Taylor dusted himself down and went on to produce the kind of polished performance that has come to be his trademark this season.

"The first five minutes were hardly the best," admitted Taylor, with characteristic honesty. "They got the goal and it obviously came from my side of the pitch.

"But, the longer the game went on, the more confident I got and, in the end, I think I did okay.

"I really enjoyed being out there. I played alongside Jonathan Woodgate and that was an unbelievable experience.

"Looking back, I think that game has made me stronger. It's given me the confidence to know I can do it and I feel confident every time I go onto the pitch now.

"I've learned from what's happened and I've moved on. That's partly me, and it's partly the players I'm playing with now because they give you so much help."

Playing for Newcastle in the top-flight was the realisation of one dream, but Taylor achieved his ultimate ambition when he made his home debut in November's 1-1 draw with Everton.

Ten years earlier he had first visited St James' with his dad and his mates. Now they were going to the ground specifically to watch him.

"I had a season ticket with my dad in the Sir John Hall Stand and we would be there every other week watching," said Taylor.

"It was the Keegan days when I first started going. The football was unbelievable and it was impossible not to get caught up in what was going on.

"At the start of the season I wanted to get onto the bench and try to get on for ten minutes here and there.

"To run out at St James' Park was my biggest dream and I still can't really believe I've achieved that. My mates can't believe it either. I normally see them standing near the tunnel when I do my warm-up at St James'.

"They're always the ones shouting at me and that's fantastic. My two best mates from school have been with me every step of the way and I think they're enjoying it as much as I am."

They will be there tomorrow when Taylor enjoys a special celebration at Highbury.

Taking on the champions would be something to shout about at any time - doing so on your 19th birthday should ensure a day Taylor will never forget.

"I don't really think you can get a better birthday present than that," he laughed. "Just looking at the players you're going to be playing against gets you excited.

"It's a bit different to what I was doing last year on my 18th. I wasn't playing that many games back then and I couldn't have imagined doing something like this.

"I'm as happy now as I could be. I'll be going for a meal with my family on Monday night and that'll be when I celebrate my birthday. I only hope I'm celebrating three points as well."

Given the way he has exceeded all expectations so far, you'd be a fool to bet against it. Because, with Taylor in the side, there's one local hero that keeps on playing when the music stops.