WANDERERS could be lining up a move for ex-Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic defender Ryan Taylor.

Reports at the weekend claimed Neil Lennon is trying to convince the 30-year-old Liverpudlian to shelve talks with Belgian club Standard Liege and help his Championship cause next season.

The Whites are woefully short on full-backs, and Taylor’s ability to play on either side of the back four would be an advantage.

But whether the club have the requisite finances to secure the former Premier League defender’s signature remains to be seen.

Taylor was released at St James’ Park after making 14 appearances in the top flight last season.

Although once tipped for England honours, Injuries have seriously limited his career in the last few years and knee problems kept him out of action for 26 months prior to an appearance against Manchester City in the Capital One Cup last October.

Another knee injury sustained against QPR a couple of months later sidelined him until February but Taylor returned to help Newcastle avoid relegation, and his release in the North East provoked some angry reactions from the club’s fans, who accused the board of a “heartless” decision.

Those long-standing fitness problems could count against Taylor as Lennon looks to assemble a more robust squad next season – but the defender does have an excellent pedigree, helping Newcastle to promotion from the Championship in 2010 and Tranmere Rovers to the play-offs as a youngster.

His experience would also be an asset in a dressing room which Lennon and his staff have admitted lacked in leadership at times last term.

It is also not the first time Taylor has been linked with a move to Wanderers. Gary Megson tried to sign him from Wigan in 2009 before moving for Sam Ricketts. Taylor left the Latics in a part-exchange deal that also saw Charles N’Zogbia move in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, Wanderers legend Ivan Campo has been appointed as an ambassador for Real Mallorca.

The 41-year-old Spaniard is working with his boyhood club in a corporate role which would see him spend an increased amount of time in the UK dealing with the club’s potential sponsors.

He is also due to feature alongside former team-mate Kevin Davies in a futsal exhibition game in Manchester on July 19 at the National Cycling Centre.

For information on tickets and other guest stars, visit manchesterfutsal.com.