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Alan Pardew has told Steven Taylor to target England again – as they kick-start their planning for the January transfer window.

Taylor’s inability to dislodge Mike Williamson had caused disquiet for the player and left him pondering whether a New Year move might have been the best option – before his recent resurgence in form gave him fresh hope at Newcastle.

The team have won three Premier League games out of three since Taylor returned and now Pardew believes that “outstanding” Taylor should be looking to make an impact in the England squad this season.

And his form may also affect Newcastle’s transfer plans for the New Year – with United potentially shifting their attention to a midfielder rather than a centre-back due to Taylor’s fine form.

After delaying talks until the 10-game mark to see where the club would be aiming for this season, the United hierarchy are now understood to have held their first series of summits ahead of the New Year window.

The shopping list includes a centre-half, a striker and a central midfielder – with United already plotting a back-up plan if either Cheick Tiote or Moussa Sissoko attract serious interest.

United want to replace Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in January, but with the team doing well there is a chance that serious spending may be done in the summer rather than the New Year window, when Newcastle will instead target out-of-contract players.Either way, Taylor is set for an extended run in the side with Pardew full of praise for the centre-back and the way he has played recently. His Newcastle United contract is not up until 2016.

“You can’t argue with his record (three wins since he came back in),” the Newcastle boss said. “He’s a player that, when he’s confident, can get in the England squad, which he did during my time here.

“The key to Steven is having a sustained run and staying injury-free, which he is having at the moment.

“When he gets his confidence he’s an outstanding centre-half.”