Milner back in training this week April 16 2008
Newcastle winger James Milner is set to give manager Kevin Keegan a boost by returning to training ahead of Sunday's derby clash with Sunderland.
But it will be touch and go whether the 22-year-old will be considered by Keegan as Milner has been sidelined for five weeks after picking up a bad foot injury in the 3-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield on March 8.
Keegan said: "James Milner will start training over the next couple of days. He is a very fit young man so he will not need any games.
"He has not missed that much, to be fair, but he's naturally frustrated, and I don't know anyone who is working as hard as him to get fit."
Milner was probably the Magpies' most consistent player under former boss Sam Allardyce, but it did not take Keegan long to appreciate what the youngster has to offer his side.
In fact, such was the effect of losing the player that Keegan changed his system from the 4-4-2 he has always preferred to the 4-3-3 formation which has proved to be an outstanding success.