A tackle from Roman Bednar in January put Taylor out of the picture at SJP and he has not played since the 2-2 draw with West Brom.
Taylor: “It was not a foul from Bednar, so there are no hard feelings whatsoever.
“He was just trying to block the ball, and he just caught me on my ankle and jarred my knee.
“There was half an hour left, and I thought I would be all right with a few days’ rest.
“It swelled up the following day, and I knew I had a problem. It was pretty bad.
“I have a strength coach I work with every day, Michael Pellegrino, who has given me the belief I will be back this season.
“I actually wrote my season off when I did my injury, but he has given me the confidence I can return before the end of the season. That is the biggest plus for me.
“All I want to do is lift that cup and get that medal round my neck.
“I do not want to come second. I have always said I want to win something with Newcastle, and this is the best way to do it.
“The main thing is to get a Championship winners medal.
“We have had injuries, but the players have done so well.
“We are getting the results we need, and if we can stay at the top of the league I will be happy.
“I am always around the dressing room, and texting them before away games wishing them all the best.
“It means so much to me and Newcastle to get back up to the Premier League.
“We cannot afford to stay in the Championship for another year.
“We are getting the wins we need now, and long may that continue.
“We just have to make sure we grind out results away from home.
“Middlesbrough will be a tough game, but we have taken a lot of belief and confidence from the last game.”