The 21-year-old full-back returned to senior action after a four-month lay-off with a troublesome foot injury as a substitute in the 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Saturday.

Taylor played only 30 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, but is desperate to regain his place in Gareth Southgate's side.

The Hartlepool-born England Under-21 international had established himself as the club's first-choice left-back until his injury struck, and it has been Austria international Emmanuel Pogatetz, who played most of last season in central defence, who has covered for him in recent weeks.

With Taylor now back and Robert Huth and David Wheater having formed a solid central partnership, competition for places at the back will be intense, although that is not a challenge he fears.

Taylor told the club's official website: "It's brilliant to be back playing. I just wanted to be involved with the lads and playing, and to get back in the action is a fantastic feeling.

"It is going to be hard to get back into the side as Poggy has been doing really well, but that's my main aim - to hopefully get my place back in the team before the end of the season."

Boro face bottom-of-the-league Derby County on Saturday and Taylor knows there is still work to be done before his side are clear of relegation.

Taylor added: "We cannot dwell on the past. We have still got a lot of important games to go and our main priority is to get as many points as we can and finish this season well."

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