Thursday, 23 January 2020:
 | | STEVEN TAYLOR of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Burnley in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. | |
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Whichever central midfielder makes their Wellington Phoenix starting debut this week, captain Steven Taylor wants them to take a leaf from the book compiled by Cameron Devlin.
Coach Ufuk Talay is still to decide who will replace Matti Steinmann against the Newcastle Jets in Wellington on Friday.
German holding specialist Steinmann copped a fifth yellow card of the season in last week's 1-0 loss to Brisbane, opening the door for either former Olyroos captain Brandon Wilson or New Zealand international Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi.
Talay must turn to one of the under-used pair while vice captain Alex Rufer continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Hudson-Wihongi has made four short bench appearances this season while January signing Wilson is yet to play for the club's top team.
Since his solitary appearance for Perth Glory in round one, Wilson's only game was an ill-fated appearance for the Phoenix reserves two weeks ago, which ended with a sending off.
Taylor backed either player to step up, particularly if they adopt the same mentality as 21-year-old Devlin, who has been an extraordinary success starting in the double pivot alongside Steinmann for the past six weeks since replacing Rufer.
Experienced English Premier League performer Taylor compared former Sydney FC fringe player Devlin to star French and Chelsea enforcer N'Golo Kante for his ball-winning qualities and influence.
"He puts his foot in, he doesn't care who he's playing against," Taylor said.
"He's got no fear and that's a good thing about a young guy who's just hungry. He always wants the ball. Always demanding the ball and wants to be start of the play for us.
"He's everywhere. He's like a little Kante in there."
Taylor also backed his fourth-placed team to rebound quickly from their slightly unfortunate loss to the Roar, when they dominated the first half but couldn't maintain their standards in the heat-sapping humidity of Brisbane.
Their first defeat in 11 weeks would only steel his team-mates, Taylor said.
They wouldn't be swayed by the form of the last-placed Jets, who are winless for the last seven weeks, including six losses.
English forward David Ball has shaken off a hip niggle and is poised to start, potentially in place of Jaushua Sotirio.
Newcastle are set to welcome back captain and central defender Nigel Boogard from an adductor injury suffered in round four.
STATS THAT MATTER
* Wellington have won 13 of their past 16 games against the Jets at Sky Stadium, including the last four in a row.
* Newcastle are seeking to avoid successive losses to the Phoenix for the first time in five years.
* Wellington have scored exactly two goals in each of their past five home games, resulting in four wins and a draw.
