Steven Taylor has dismissed reports that he is amongst a group of players ready to leave the troubled Premiership club Newcastle United.

The Magpies are battling off-field and on-field problems following the departure of former manager Kevin Keegan, with owner Mike Ashley trying to sell the Tyneside club, who are currently second from the bottom in the Premiership table after five games.

While reports on Monday morning suggested that the 22-year-old central defender was included in as many as 11 players, others being - Michael Owen, Alan Smith, Joey Barton, Shay Given, Nicky Butt, Damien Duff, Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins, Charles N'Zogbia and Shola Ameobi – who could leave St James’ Park outfit, the England U-21 star and England B international swiftly dismissed the speculation around his future as he has recently extended his stay with the Toon, who are currently under caretaker manager Chris Hughton.

He told the Gazette: "I don't know where this has come from – it's news to me.

"I'm happy at Newcastle United – I wouldn't have committed my future here if I wasn't.

"I just want the fans to know the players are hurting and desperate to turn things around.

"They've been fantastic and got behind us, despite everything that's been going on, and we want to give them something to shout about."

However, the mass exodus fears, which were conceded by Toon striker Martins over the weekend, could be a major problem for the Magpies, who seem no close to appointing a successor to Keegan.

A Toon source told The Sun: “People think there are problems at Newcastle but they don't know the half of it. At least 11 players have indicated they are ready to leave.”