Latics chief reveals star's recovery plan

Steve Bruce claims his decision to wait until Ryan Taylor was fully fit before playing him following a six-month lay-off has paid off.

The Wigan chief resisted the temptation to recall the 24-year-old too early following a dismal run of injuries over the past three-and-a-half years which included a fractured metatarsal and double break of the leg. Taylor was returning to fitness in July when a shin problem kept him sidelined for another eight weeks and Bruce kept him out for another two months to ensure he was fit and strong enough to play Premier League football again.

Having made just one brief substitute appearance, Taylor was pitched in from the start at Newcastle last Saturday and he marked his comeback with a stunning goal after just three minutes in the 2-2 draw. Bruce hopes his patience is now paying dividends and will probably start Taylor again in Monday's televised clash with Everton at the JJB Stadium.

Bruce told the Evening Post: "Being able to bring Ryan back at Newcastle was a boost. We were hit by injuries, and we had a player capable of scoring a goal and with great creativity to come in.

"I thought the boy did very well - scoring in the first few minutes with a wonderful strike was a great confidence booster for him and us.

"Ryan has missed pre-season training for the last three years which is obviously not great from a player's point of view.

"So we purposely didn't rush him back this time, we wanted to make sure he was fully fit and free of injury. At times he was knocking on my door, wanting to be more involved, and I'd just tell him to give it a bit longer.

"I wanted him to get another couple of weeks of training under his belt to stop him breaking down. Hopefully that has paid off.

"Ryan is like any other player, he just wants to play, that's something I totally understand.

"He came in and did very well against Newcastle, and he's very much part of my plans here."