Exeter’s midfield could be due a boost, with the return of Kyle Taylor looking likely in pre-season having been out for 14 months with an injury.
Taylor has not featured in a competitive game since an injury which occurred in March 2022 keeping him out ever since. The incident happened against Oldham in a League 2 match where the 23-year-old ruptured his cruciate knee ligament as well as damaging the surrounding cartilage. Then-Exeter manager Matt Taylor told BBC Sport :
“It’s probability the worst injury a footballer can get, it’s a real shame for Kyle”.
The midfielder has made only 18 appearances for The Grecians some joining from AFC Bournemouth during the 2021 season. A return for the Swiss-English midfielder would be a huge boost for Exeter in their second season in League One.
The Grecians finished a respectful 14th place in their first season back in League One following a 10 year hiatus. Manager Gary Caldwell, who joined in October last year, will be looking to take Exeter to the next level in the forthcoming season. Taylor will provide extra depth in central-midfield and will be looking to fulfil his potential at the club having been out for such a long period of time.
Who is Kyle Taylor?
Taylor spent his youth years as part of the Bournemouth academy and although never making an appearance for The Cherries, successful loans spells at Forest Green and Southend led to Exeter signing him in the 2021 summer transfer window. At home in the centre of midfield but also as a defensive minded midfielder, Taylor’s ability to break up attacks is one of his strongest skills. He will be looking to impress Caldwell to try and earn a starting spot in the team for the forthcoming campaign.
What’s been said?
Regarding the possible return of the midfielder, manager Gary Caldwell said:
“He will hopefully be running and potentially available to do some stuff at the start of pre season.”
“He really would feel like a new signing because it was such a long-term injury and he had so many setbacks along the way, even since I’ve been here”.
“Obviously we would have to take it slowly because of the nature of his injury, but hopefully he’s ready to be there on day one and try and contribute next season as well.”
Writers View
Caldwell will not want to aggravate Taylor’s injury so a gradual increase in the midfielder’s training intensity will be the best shout. He might not be ready for the first game of the season and may see a few appearances in the first half of the season. When fully fit, we can expect to see plenty of Taylor in the Exeter side in the second half of the season, in what will be a big year for the 23-year-old with his contract running out in 2024.
