Taylor: Capello thought I was a midfielder

Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor says former England manager Fabio Capello mistook him for a midfielder.

Taylor has been called up to the squad for England’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro after Chelsea’s Gary Cahill withdrew due to injury.

Taylor has revealed Capello left him deflated after getting his playing position wrong when talking to Newcastle manager Alan Pardew.

“Last season (Capello) didn’t come (to see Newcastle play) when we had the best defensive record up to Christmas,” he told reporters.

“The gaffer went to some event and Capello was there and he said: ‘You should come up and see Taylor’. And Capello said: ‘I’m all right for midfielders’. That did a lot for my confidence, it was almost back to the feeling I had when we got relegated.”

Having captained England at Under-21 level, Taylor – now 27 – is determined to impress if afforded the opportunity to win his first full cap.

“I would run through brick walls to play for my country,” he said.

“It would be the proudest moment in my career and if it comes, I would be absolutely delighted, over the moon, call it what you want. I will be there.

“You cannot get any higher than playing for your country.”