Taylor to miss remainder of season with knee injury

The 24-year-old centre-back sustained the injury after falling onto the stock car track at the Showgrounds while making a tackle in the recent drawn with Ballinamallard United.

“The lateral ligaments have been torn the whole way off the bone,” Taylor told Times Sport.

“At first I didn’t think it was that bad but I went for a scan which showed the full extent of the damage.

“I went to see a surgeon on Tuesday past and he told me I need an operation – I’m hoping that will be soon but it could be January. The surgeon says it will be between nine to 12 months before I’ll be back.

“I went in for the tackle and caught their player and somehow I ended up on the tarmac. It must have been the impact with the track that did the damage.

“I regret that tackle now, with the benefit of hindsight.

“I’m just gutted to be missing out because the big games are coming thick and fast and we have the County Antrim Shield final coming up.

“Those are the type of games that every player wants to be playing in, so to miss out on such a long period is really disappointing.

“I can swim and do spin classes, that type of thing, but when it comes to running, that’s a no. It’ll take me a while to get back but I’ll be working closely with Gordy (McCartney, club sports therapist) once we get this operation out of the way,” added Johnny.

The loss of Taylor is another blow in a season of long-term injuries for United players but there is more encouraging news for boss Glenn Ferguson with skipper Allan Jenkins due to play 45 minutes for the Reserves against Linfield Swifts this Saturday, just eight weeks after sustaining medial knee ligament damage which was expected to sideline him until the new year.

Centre-back Denver Gage, who has been out for almost a year with a deep-seated groin problem is back in training after a recent operation and is expected to begin his playing comeback in the Reserves before Christmas.