Defender Steven Taylor has put Newcastle's defensive resilience this season down to stability in the back four.

For much of the campaign to date, Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini have formed a solid central partnership, while Danny Simpson and Jose Enrique have played their part at full-back.

The Magpies, who have conceded only 10 goals in 17 league games, recorded their ninth clean sheet of the season at Preston on Monday evening, and that has proved a major factor in presence at the top of the table.

Taylor told the Journal: "It's nice that there hasn't really been the chopping and changing in defence this season.

"I feel like I have got a decent understanding with Fabricio now, and long may that continue. We work well together in training, and I think that shows on the pitch.

"That was our ninth clean sheet of the season, so that's another positive. The more the merrier."