RYAN TAYLOR has allayed fears over the seriousness of the knee injury he sustained during Newcastle United’s 1-0 win over QPR on Saturday.

Having recovered from two career-threatening cruciate ligament injuries, Taylor made his first Premier League start since March 2012 as Newcastle recorded a sixth successive victory to move into the European positions.

However, his involvement was curtailed shortly after the half-hour mark as he fell to the floor clutching his right knee. A lengthy consultation from Newcastle’s medical staff resulted in him hobbling to the dug-out, and he was clearly fighting off tears as he walked from the field.

At the time, it was feared he had suffered another major ligament injury, but an initial examination has suggested the problem involved a jarring of the knee joint rather than any ligament damage.

Further tests are planned for the next few days, but it is hoped Taylor can resume training this week and could potentially even be available for this weekend’s trip to West Ham.

“Thank you all for your positive messages,” Taylor tweeted. “I appreciate them all. Just to let you know I have no major problem and I had to come off just to be on the safe side.

“I was just gutted to come off, that’s why I got so emotional as I’ve worked so hard to get back. Thanks again.”