The City and England skipper has not featured since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal, having suffered a setback on her return from an Achilles injury.
The captain was not included in Sarina Wiegman’s 24-strong squad for the Lionesses’ Arnold Clark Cup tournament later this month and Taylor admits patience is needed in regard to her comeback.
“It’s frustrating for Steph,” he told press. “She was with us at the beginning, had a long period out and then had a brief period back and we’ve lost her again.
“It’s good she had the conversation with Sarina. She’s been in contact with me as well and we both hold Steph in high regard.
“She’s an important part of the furniture and it’s been a disruptive season for her. It will be frustrating for her but she’s working really hard and her attitude as usual is spot on.
“There’s another camp before the Euros and more games for us to be involved in.
“We have a Cup Final to look forward to so hopefully, we can get her back for those sort of demands but with that kind of injury, we have to be slightly more patient than with others unfortunately.”
Asked of the latest team news, Taylor has no new injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s eagerly-awaited visit of United with the players all pushing to feature in the crunch clash.
“It’s pretty good,” he added. “The squad is in decent shape.
“We had the disappointment of Chelsea, which we put to one side but our recent run of form has put us in a good position.
“Everyone recognises the importance of the game for us, to claw back ground and stay in the hunt.
“If we don’t, the distance is bigger. We’re still capable of going on a run and if we do that from this game onwards we’ll be okay but we don’t want the gap to get bigger, especially in a 22-game season.
“It makes it a bit of an uphill battle, not unachievable but we recognise the importance of this game this weekend.
“It will always be important - no matter what - but with the points situation and what we need to achieve, it’s important for sure.”
With City sitting five points behind third-placed United in the table, Sunday’s encounter has been billed as potentially the most important Manchester Derby yet.
Set to be contested in front of a sell-out crowd and with several lifelong City fans in the squad, Taylor called upon his players not to let the emotion of the occasion sway their performance, with red cards shown in previous meetings.
“We’ll just reinforce the positives,” he said. “We focus on the opposition, strengths and weaknesses and see how we can exploit; how we engage without the ball as well, which will be key.
“We’re on our home patch, we expect to put on a performance and usually, that gives us a good chance of winning games.
“Hopefully, there will not be another red card for us but sometimes those moments can happen in a Derby, particularly a Manchester one.
“Passion will be high, the energy big but we have to remain calm and control the controllables and focus on what we can affect rather than what’s outside that.
“We’re excited and it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
