Taylor played the full 90 minutes for the reserves in the 2-1 win against Middlesbrough last night to get some much-needed match fitness.

Bruce is happy to allow the 24-year-old out on loan to step things up with some regular first-team football.

Yet, even though his contract is up at the end of the season, the Liverpudlian has been told he is still very much in the manager's plans.

"There have been a couple of little enquiries," said Bruce. "But I think most clubs are a little concerned he hasn't played for two or three months.

"It is a big time for him because he is out of contract in the summer. But I like him, I like to have him round the place and I like his ability.

"His delivery from set-pieces is a hell of a weapon to have. But the boy needs to go out and play somewhere."

Taylor has managed only nine minutes of Premier League football this term after suffering a shin injury on the pre-season trip to Austria.

He missed the club's first five fixtures and has been an unused substitute in six others.

His only time on the pitch came late in the 4-0 thrashing by Aston Villa.

On Tuesday night he turned out for the second string along with defender Erik Edman, who was playing his first game since picking up a serious knee injury at Blackburn in March.

As planned, Edman played the first 35 minutes and immediately declared himself 'very happy' with the run-out.

Bruce's former club Birmingham City were said to be interested in Taylor, but they signed Nicky Hunt from Bolton on Monday.

The Championship would seem to be the most likely destination for the former Tranmere wing-back as he looks to improve his match sharpness.

"He just needs to get games under his belt because it has been such a frustrating time for the kid," explained Bruce.

"He wants to play football. He came to speak to me last week and we had a conversation about it.

"I said if there was something that would be a benefit for him and a benefit for us then I would have no problem with it, no objection at all.

"If he can go out and play some football and come back after a month having had a run of games it could suit everyone.

"We are thinking about Ryan's career and how to get the best out of him. And obviously if he comes back to us in better shape and then that would be great. He needs to get some 90 minutes under his belt.

"I believe there was a little interest from Birmingham, but they have probably gone for Hunt because he has been playing regularly. Norwich is news to me – I haven't heard about that one."

Taylor has played 53 times for Latics since arriving from Tranmere in the summer of 2005 for a fee of £750,000.

But he has been dogged by a succession of injuries including a broken foot and a broken leg.