Ryan Taylor has admitted that it has been difficult to concentrate on Newcastle United's Premier League relegation fight - because he is worried about his contract situation. The 30-year-old midfielder's current deal expires in the summer and the Liverpudlian has been given no reassurances about his long-term future at the club. Although Taylor's immediate priority is ensuring the Magpies remain in the Premier League - Newcastle are fourth-bottom and just two points clear of 18th-placed Hull City - he is concerned about the lack of "security" he has due to the fact his contract expires within a matter of weeks. Speaking to The Sun, former Wigan Athletic and Tranmere Rovers midfielder Taylor explained of his contract situation:
"I'm not going to lie, the situation does play on my mind because like any other professional it is nice to have a contract and some security. "But I am playing for the good of the football club and my main focus is completely on Newcastle and helping this team stay up."
Taylor is one of the few senior voices left in the Magpies dressing room yet it looks like his time on Tyneside could be coming to an end. Since returning from two career-threatening cruciate knee-ligament injuries, Taylor has been deployed in a variety of positions - including full-back and defensive-midfield - but he has struggled with the intensity of the Premier League. Also, Taylor's set-pieces have been distinctly average since he made his comeback - and, due to the fact he turns 31 in August, it appears unlikely that Newcastle will offer Taylor a new deal. Since joining Newcastle from Wigan in a part-exchange deal for Charles N'Zogbia in January 2009, Taylor has scored 10 goals in 102 appearances. If Taylor does leave, he will always be remembered fondly in Newcastle for his "Over The Wall" derby winner against Sunderland in August 2011. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.