EXCLUSIVE: Steven Taylor's boots are stamped out ahead of Newcastle and Sunderland derby

NEWCASTLE defender Steven Taylor has been banned from wearing specially made boots with the words 'The stamp collector' stitched on them for tomorrow's North-east derby for fear of further inciting Sunderland fans.

Taylor inflamed last year's derby matches by insisting he "would rather be a stamp collector" than watch local rivals Sunderland.
The defender, 27, brought up on Tyneside and a regular on the St James' Park terraces as a child, was hoping to wear the boots for tomorrow's clash - but has been banned from doing so by manager Alan Pardew.
While Taylor's Geordie roots make him an icon on Tyneside, he has now become a hate figure with Sunderland fans.
At the last derby match in April, held at St James' Park, they sang, 'We hope you die Steven Taylor'.

Taylor also incurred the wrath of Sunderland fans by suggesting last season that only one of their players, striker Steven Fletcher, would get into Newcastle's team. Taylor is hoping to make Pardew's starting XI for the clash having been sidelined by a red card in the opening fixture at Manchester City and an injury.
Pardew said: "Steven Taylor is OK, he has trained this week. We will see on Saturday whether he is going to start." And the Newcastle boss will not be doing a 'Paolo Di Canio' and sliding along the touchline if the Magpies win tomorrow's.
Di Canio famously slid on his knees at St James' Park six months ago, celebrating Sunderland's three goals in their record-breaking derby win, but Pardew will not be following suit - because of his suit. He said: "Not with my suits, no, they are very expensive.
"It is important for both sets of fans that a lid is kept on things. Sometimes when you get last-minute or late goals you can look at yourself and be a bit disappointed. I have been on a number of occasions, but sometimes it just gets the better of you.
"It's important to keep a calm mind as a manager because it is a real frenzy on the pitch."
[express]