After making his senior debut and European bow on Thursday in the final stages of Newcastle United’s UEFA Cup defeat of Real Mallorca, Taylor made his first start for the Toon against Bolton on Saturday, and was then promptly called up for his second England Under 21 cap.

The home-grown Geordie has been a mainstay of England youth teams since his debut for the England Under-16s. At at every level he has impressed with a maturity and composure that belies his years.

In December, whilst still only 17, England Under-20 Head Coach Les Reed selected Taylor for the FIFA World Youth Championship in Dubai, where he forged a central defensive partnership with Leeds United’s Matt Kilgallon.

Prior to the tournament, Reed, who is also The FA’s Acting Technical Director, told TheFA.com: “Steven has qualities of Tony Adams and Martin Keown in his game, and really suits international football. He is 6' 3'', likes to bring the ball out of defence into midfield and reads the game so well. He shows great leadership qualities and could go all the way to the very highest level.”

Whilst in Dubai, Taylor had a chat with TheFA.com and spoke glowingly of how , as a boy, he looked to Tony Adams as a ‘role model.’ He said: “Adams was so commanding, read the game so well and had a real presence. Alan Shearer says he was one of the best defenders he ever played against.”

Weeks after returning from the World Youth Championship, the young defender received a call from Wycombe – where Adams is learning the managerial ropes – and promptly moved south to Adams Park for a six-game loan spell.

Whilst at Wycombe and on his 18th birthday, TheFA.com spoke to Steven about his experience: “He is a great coach, and when he speaks, all the players listen.

"Whichever position you play in, you take it all in, and his manner with the players makes all of them want to implement on the pitch what’s he’s asking you to do in training.

“I got to play alongside him a couple of times in training in 5-a-side games, and it really was like a dream.

“He told me that I should be confident in my own ability, aim to win your one-on-ones, always clear your lines and be resilient.

“I had a few defending sessions with him and we even practised the offside trap; the Full Monty when we all had our arms in the air!"

On 17th February, Taylor’s fledgling career registered a further landmark when he was selected for the England Under-21s against Holland at the KC Stadium in Hull.

Tonight, he will be hoping to feature in another young side likely to be fielded by David Platt when the Under-21s take on Sweden, with Platt telling us:

“Steven has always played in age groups above his age, and when I saw him play in Dubai for the Under-20s – where he was one of the youngest players – he played very well and showed he could cope with the rigours of international football at that level.

“Since he joined the Under-21s he showed he can handle things both on and off the pitch, and is clearly benefiting from training with the first-team squad and players of the calibre of Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy and Jonathan Woodgate.”

Taylor’s first taste of the Premier League left him slightly disappointed, when after starting at right-back, he was hustled off the ball by Henrik Pedersen as Bolton scored the only goal in a narrowly victory over the Toon.

Taylor told Newcastle’s official website: “I felt I was pushed in the build-up to the goal as I was preparing to head the ball back to Shay [Given], and it was disappointing to see the ball loop into the net.

“It was fantastic for me to make my debut and great to play 90 minutes, but the pace was a lot quicker than I’m used to, but is something that I’ll learn to deal with.”

But Sir Bobby Robson had soothing words for his young defender, which Taylor will no doubt choose to take on board for his next challenge ahead:

“The referee didn’t give the push, and the next thing the ball was in the back of the net. Steven had a baptism of fire today and has done very well, especially in an unfamiliar position.”

TheFA.com will feature a full match report from Sweden later this evening, where you will be able to find out whether Steven, as well as another previous young Lion, Richard Chaplow [who is in action for the Under-19s against Germany tonight – live on Sky Sports at 5.30pm] have added to their growing reputations.