Taylor Swain

TEENAGE striker Taylor Swain has bounced back from a three month injury lay off more determined than ever to make his mark with Northampton Town’s Centre of Excellence.

Taylor, who will be 14 in April, is the young footballer sponsored by Dalepak who is completing his second season among the Cobblers’ youth ranks.

Growing pains meant Taylor was forced to take a three month break between October and the end of January when the advent of snow and bad weather further extended his break from action.

But the recent opportunity to grace Chelsea’s training ground and clap eyes on the likes of Joe Cole, combined with a three day trip to Derry in Northern Ireland when the Cobblers Under 14s played in three matches, has given him valuable, fresh motivation.

His mum Maxine explained: “Taylor just wants to play in as many matches as possible between now and the end of the season to get his fitness levels back up again. He has only played in four or five matches since October.”

It was back in October that Taylor’s progress was called to a temporary halt when Centre of Excellence Manager Geoff Harrop spotted the youngster’s running style was more akin to a gallop, which identified a problem with his hip.

Maxine said: “We had noticed it as well and it meant going to the hospital to see a consultant who advised a period of rest. Although we are going back in April, we are hoping it has cleared.”

Taylor has split his time between the Under 13 and Under 14 side for Northampton Town this season and although the friendly at Chelsea’s training ground at Cobham in Surrey was lost 7-0, it brought valuable experience.

The same can be said of the trip to Northern Ireland where all three matches were won, one of them a 3-2 victory over that country’s development squad.

“Taylor was very frustrated when he wasn’t able to play although he spent plenty of time watching the Manchester United television channel!”

The youngster was brought to the Cobblers’ attention after scoring 42 goals for village side Bugbrooke two seasons ago and while that was never going to be repeated at a higher level, he still managed to find the net eight times last season and has come on a bundle to hit the target five times this time round.

“There is no doubt his overall standard of football is better because of the increased levels of pace and skill. He has also been playing on the wing for the Under 14s, whereas he tends to be up front for the Under 13s” added Maxine.