Kevin Keegan, the Newcastle United manager, will turn his attention to securing Steven Taylor’s long-term future once he strengthens his playing staff at St James’ Park.

The 56-year-old and his staff have made their top priority identifying potential new signings and bringing them in before the end of the January transfer window, which closes in seven days’ time.

Shoring up a defence which has been a problem for more than a decade will be one of the major focuses for Keegan, and Middlesbrough’s England international Jonathan Woodgate is reported to be one of his targets.

However, whatever happens over the next few days, Keegan is adamant that Taylor will feature in his long-term plans.

The captain of the England under-21 side, Taylor rejected the offer of a new five-year contract at St James’ Park in September last year, believing it did not match up to those signed by some of his colleagues, and his future has been in doubt ever since, despite his insistence that he wants to stay.

“I like Steven Taylor,” Keegan said. I think he has got leadership qualities in the making. There’s not a lot of experience at the back, apart from Shay Given. On the right, he [Taylor] has got Stephen Carr, but on the other side, he has got players who are still learning the Premier League.

“Against Bolton [Wanderers], he had a player in front of him who is still learning the Premiership in David Rozehnal.

“But I thought Taylor was tremendous, and I have been very impressed with him every time I have seen him play for a long time now.”

Taylor and the rest of the Newcastle squad head to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend, before meeting again in the league three days later.

Keegan will have midfield duo Alan Smith and Nicky Butt back from suspension, although Emre serves the second of his three-match ban following his dismissal in the third-round replay against Stoke.

The chances of Joey Barton being included are remote with the club playing down suggestions he could be flown up to London by helicopter for the game.

The 25-year-old midfielder has been bailed to the Sporting Chance clinic in Hampshire after being charged with assault and affray, and one of the conditions is a 7pm curfew.

But while his presence in north London this weekend is logistically possible, it is understood it is very unlikely to happen.