Suddenly manager Glenn Roeder could be looking at what he has in his locker, rather than splashing too much in a highly competitive transfer market. He has not seen young Milner at close quarters on the pitch, as the ex-Leeds player was on loan at Aston Villa last season, and it is thought he is suddenly having second thoughts about the player.
With Alan Shearer retired, Michael Chopra at Cardiff City, and now Owen out with a ruptured to his anterior cruciate ligament, strikers are short on the ground at St James's Park this summer.
The former Leeds United youngster, who can play wide in midfield or as a centre-forward, has been an Aston Villa target for months. But it is obvious they haven't got the asking price of £3.5m.
Roeder: "I have already met James and I have told him I am very happy for him to stay here. He told me he knows nobody can be guaranteed first-team football but all he wanted was a fair opportunity and he is happy at what I told him."