AT just 19, it’s inevitable that Ash Taylor has a lot to learn in the game.

His recent spell on the sidelines has been a new experience but one he has no intention of getting used to.

A hamstring injury picked up in the early stages of Tranmere’s 1-0 win at Gillingham last month has forced Taylor to forsake his place in Les Parry’s starting XI.

However, with the news he’s on his way back, the youngster hopes to be playing again sooner rather than later.

“It’s frustrating because I want to get back as soon as possible,” said Taylor.

“I’m not very good at sitting there watching from the stands. I just want to get involved.

“You want to play and be out there helping your teammates.

“It takes time but hopefully I’ll be back within the next week.”

That will be too late for Southampton and Leeds, while Rovers boss Parry said yesterday Taylor could be ‘touch and go’ for the trip to Bristol Rovers next weekend.

There’s never a good time to get injured but the past few weeks have been particularly galling for Taylor in light of the plaudits he has received this season.

“It’s a learning curve for me,” he says.

“Sometimes you will get injured. You just have to deal with it, work with the physios, and move on.

“I felt like I was playing well and then the next thing I know I get injured and I’m out of the squad.

“Now I’ve got to try and get back in as soon as I can.”

Parry has spoken of his eagerness to get Taylor back.

The manager’s words are a clear sign of the esteem in which the player is held at the club.

“It’s good to hear that,” smiles Taylor.

“We’ve been working together to try and improve myself as a player.

“We’ve been working on different positions so it’s good to hear.”

In his continued absence, Tranmere face an uphill task in the coming days with the visit of Southampton and then Leeds to Prenton Park.

“We’ve still got a bit of work to do,” says Taylor.

“It’s close between a good few teams in the bottom half of the table. Saying that, it’s not a bad position to be in compared to where we were.

“We can be a bit more relaxed but we know we still have to keep doing what we’re doing if we’re to head in the right direction.

“It is very tight in the table and with two big games against Southampton this weekend and then Leeds on Tuesday, we’ve just got to make sure we’re prepared and try to put a couple of good performances together and pick up some points.”

Southampton have registered 10 goals with just one in reply in their last two games, and Taylor knows Tranmere will have to be at their best to get a result tomorrow.

“We should enjoy coming up against the big teams in the league.

“But we know Southampton have had some great results lately.

“We’ve just got to stick together and work hard. It’s up to us to try and stop them.

“We’ve got a good sense of togetherness in the squad. That’s what it’s all about and what we try to achieve.”