Newcastle hit by serious injuries to both Ryan Taylor and Tim Krul - with both out for the rest of the season

Defender could miss entirety of next season with cruciate knee ligament injury

Tim Krul and Ryan Taylor (GETTY IMAGES)

Ryan Taylor has suffered a cruel blow, injuring the cruciate ligament in his knee as he was set to make his return following an eight month absence because of the same injury.

The Newcastle midfielder first suffered the injury playing in the Europa League against Atromitos. The 28-year-old then underwent surgery and has endured a season-long period of recuperation. He had recently returned to training and had even spent time with the club's first team squad to boost his morale after such a long spell out. Taylor has now suffered the same injury in his rehab and could miss the entire 2013-2014 season because of the latest blow.

"Everyone at the club is deeply saddened by this news," said Alan Pardew. "Ryan has worked so hard and diligently since his injury. He has been a model patient and has given his all to ensure he could return to full training in the best condition possible. Ryan has, and will continue to, receive the full support of everyone at Newcastle United during this difficult time for him." Taylor has played 91 times for Newcastle since moving from Wigan.

Taylor's Newcastle team-mate Tim Krul is also set to undergo surgery on Monday on his dislocated shoulder, suffered during the 3-0 Tyne-Wear defeat by Sunderland at St James' Park. The Dutch goalkeeper, who landed awkwardly and had to be replaced early in the second half by Rob Elliot, will miss the rest of the season and is expected to return to training at the end of July.