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Milner Fit Again for West Ham Game

April 22nd, 2008 by Ed Harrison · 63 Comments

22-year-old James Milner has been out injured since the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool in early March.

james-milner-85858.jpg

James Milner - fit again after 7 weeks out

James had been expected to make the squad for Sunday’s derby victory over Sunderland at St.James’ Park, but the club acted on the side of caution and left Milner out. But he will be back for the West Ham game and we expect James to be one of the subs for the important game at Upton Park.

Keegan told Newcastle World TV today:

“Sunderland was the game we outlined for James, but probably typical James I think he pushed himself a bit too much,” “It was nothing major and he’ll be fit for West Ham.”

“But, bearing in mind the injury he had, he’s done marvelous to get where he is so quickly.”

“He’s a fit boy and the good news is that once he’s fully fit, which he nearly is, he won’t need games like some players do because he would’ve retained a lot of his fitness.”

We even expect James to get a run out in the last 30 minutes if he makes the bench at West Ham, although Kevin will have a full squad to choose from for Saturday. It will be interesting if James does get a game Saturday, if he will replace Geremi or one of the three strikers up front.

Emre, Carr and Cacapa are now all fit so Kevin will almost have a full squad to choose from. But we don’t think Kevin will change the starting eleven, although the team only played around 60% of their capabilities against Sunderland, and we’ll need to play better than that to win on Saturday.

West Ham however, have not been in good form of late and their 2-1 win against Derby County last weekend was their first win in 5 games.

What do you think?

Comments welcome.

Tags: Newcastle News










63 responses so far ↓

  • 1 nate // Apr 22, 2008 at 19:35

    Good news. I hope he gets a chance under Keegan before the end of the season. I know some on this site don’t like Milner, but I think he has enormous potential and always gives 110%.

  • 2 Leo // Apr 22, 2008 at 19:36

    when milner played at leeds didnt he play the right side of attack in a 433? or am i imagining this?

    just like how everyone has improved with keegan our manager jimmy will also do better i bet cant wait to see him back in the team, thnk he is great

  • 3 ronaldeano // Apr 22, 2008 at 19:42

    Totaly agree lads, we have missed Milner but i dont think he will walk right back into the team.

  • 4 Tom_Toon // Apr 22, 2008 at 19:54

    Dont put him into the team for West Ham because we can actually win it! Put him in for the chelsea or everton games if at all.

  • 5 consettmags // Apr 22, 2008 at 20:59

    Nowt to do with Milner but I have been trawling the net a bit today and have found out that we were linked with Beye in May 2005.Reliable source too - Sporting Life.Just thought Id like to take a bit of Fat Sams credit for buying him.

  • 6 apan // Apr 22, 2008 at 21:22

    would love to see if he can fit in geremi’s role

  • 7 Hammy // Apr 22, 2008 at 21:40

    Those dubious about signing Riise,
    this guy could be great cover for our forwards, he planted a great header past Reina in the 1-1 draw against Chelski, this guy is a goal machine…

  • 8 ronaldeano // Apr 22, 2008 at 21:44

    I bet Riise wants to go home and cry his eyes out!!! :)

    What a plank!

  • 9 wsq // Apr 22, 2008 at 21:45

    It’s not the normal 4-3-3 with one CF and 2 Wing Forward. It’s more like Martins Left CF Viduks Right CF and Owen plays the Totti Role (AMF).

    Owen is more of a midfielder now. An important link between defence and attack. I’m amazed at the distance he’s covering each match, I see him everywhere in defence and in attack, at the right places too in both areas.

    So say Milner comes in for Martins Keegan might shift it to 4-4-2 rather than put him LWF the way allardyce did it.Or rather it’s still the same formation 4-3-3 with Owen and Barton switching positions.

    so it’d be MILNER LW BARTON CM BUTT DM GEREMI.

    BARTON will be doing owen’s job.

    He’ll never fill Geremi’s shoes because he is not as clever with his crosses.

  • 10 Dom4Toon // Apr 22, 2008 at 21:46

    i don’t think riises a plank, i think it was very unlucky and i think that renia should hve come for it, riise had to do something. i don’t know why everyone hates riise so much cos if KK is looking for another left back then i would welcome him to the club

  • 11 wsq // Apr 22, 2008 at 21:48

    I thought it was over-the liv-che game-so I switched off the telly, damn. haha just found out they conceded. I was waiting for a Chelsea equaliser. :D

  • 12 andrew // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:01

    feel sorry for riise think he is a good player and he would be good for us hes a good pro funny how everyone wants to see liverpool get knocked out they are the jammiest team around nice to see them have a bit of misfortune for once lol on milner seem to recall he was our player of the year last year he always gives his best but he is a winger not a forward in my opinion he could even play in a more centeral rob lee esq role but there aint no way he is taking martins place up front that is silly talk

  • 13 Obafan // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:02

    Come on guys, why should Milner start in one of the following games. The players are gelling perfectly and I don’t think Milner can add something more to that team. He is at max a bench sitter.

    wsq - I totally agree that Milner is not as good as Geremi. He is not that clever, is he??

  • 14 Leo // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:05

    just a quick question for everyone out there, nothing to do with football, just wondered if anyone has bought the new taio cruz album?

    met him a couple times and been to a couple of his gigs im london, really up and coming, have a look on itunes or youtube he is worth the money to get his album if you like rnb/soul

  • 15 wsq // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:09

    ay ay ay is nice

  • 16 Leo // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:11

    ay ay ay is a good choice my personal favourite is driving me crazy

  • 17 wsq // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:13

    @Obafan

    yes he needs serious tutoring.

    goodness he’s not far off from bently, he just needs that tiny titsy bit of intelligence to be better.

    I hope he gets a shout from keegan the way oba got a shout “go on run at him!” but instead “go on cross it son! put it in the mixer sun” or “get your head up son!”

    young enough to be his son.

  • 18 wsq // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:15

    @leo

    cool i’ll download that later. cheers for the recommendation

  • 19 51times // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:38

    I think we should buy Riise and pay him £100,000 a week just for that own goal. Hopefully now Chelsea and Barcelona will make it to the final. Scouse c*nts.

  • 20 obamagic // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:45

    I reckon Milner could play CM…if i’m not wrong he played CM for U21 and scored 2 goals

  • 21 IrishMan // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:57

    Apart from the cross for Owen’s goal on Saturday, I think Geremi’s delivery has been fairly woeful for the last few games (including his generally wasteful corners). Maybe that one peach for MO’s goal justifies his place, but I would still give Milner at least a half on the right of midfield against West Ham.

  • 22 Tom_Toon // Apr 22, 2008 at 22:59

    Id play Emre instead of Geremi.

  • 23 Punk Skunk // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:01

    Me too TT!..

  • 24 wsq // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:01

    dwells on the ball far too long to play CM.. keeps his head down most of the time

  • 25 Punk Skunk // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:02

    Crosses better & curls in a mean corner!..

  • 26 Tom_Toon // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:04

    Well actually id lke Scotty Parker back :(

  • 27 wsq // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:10

    @tom toon

    i want parker back too.

  • 28 Obafan // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:13

    Is Emre fit to play this weekend?

  • 29 Obafan // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:15

    And Milner as CM, what are you thinking? To be a CM you need to act quick, decide were to pass the ball to open up a defence. With other words you have to be very intelligent and you have to read the game very well? Milner hasn’t got one of those 2 things. So I would NEVER put him as CM.

  • 30 wsq // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:17

    keegan say he has to find the 3 other players a game first

  • 31 wsq // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:19

    CM i rate at this moment is De Rossi. he’s got quality.

  • 32 Punk Skunk // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:22

    Good job we got rid of Parker really, he’s been injured most of the season, a la Dyer & Bellamy!..

  • 33 Tom_Toon // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:23

    Yep, but no chance unfortunately, i think hes going to real madrid.

  • 34 Tom_Toon // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:23

    Punk Skunk - Been very good when hes played.

  • 35 Spyro // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:25

    risse could have cleared it with his right foot, what an idiot.

  • 36 Spyro // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:27

    Milner in the middle would be good. When Barton and Parker are both on top form i would rather have Barton.

  • 37 wsq // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:29

    how do u kno he’s going to madrid? he’ll do good mos def.

    our injury problems are gone.. who should we give credit to?

  • 38 Tom_Toon // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:32

    looking pretty obvious, Mitajovic says he wants him, about 100 links from him to real every week!

  • 39 Spyro // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:35

    De Rossi is a player who is most definitely going to get snapped up by a bigger european team come the summer.

    We should go for the Valencia players as they will no doubt be seeking a move out of that shambolic club in the summer.

    Also, Sevilla will have no UEFA Cup next season and there players are there for the taking aswell. No doubt Tottenham will snap two or three up

  • 40 Spyro // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:41

    can you believe the cheek of Benitez complaining about refereeing decisions.

    Has he forgotten how they got past Arsenal in the last round?

    The only reason Liverpool ever progress in the Champions league is through poor refereeing decisions going in their favour. i am HAPPY they drew, i hope Chelski beat and embarrass them at Stamford Bridge.

  • 41 apan // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:42

    John Arne Riise scored a dramatic own goal in stoppage time as Chelsea earned a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final.

    this is not his first this season, if we get him his scored more in our net, KK take note

  • 42 Punk Skunk // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:52

    Yea, y’right mate…Don’t really get why we sold him…I think fitness aside, he woulda come good this season!..

  • 43 marcus owen // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:53

    Milner can come out at 70min for Viduka, Geremi or Barton.KK must keep Owen,Martin and Butt on the field. They are the keys.
    Sub: Forster,Edgar,Duff,Carroll,Milner.
    No Alan Smith please.

  • 44 Tom_Toon // Apr 22, 2008 at 23:56

    Do you know what would piss me off. Emre and Milner coming back (these should be on the bench, carr and cacapa shouldn’t) and kk dropping edgar and carroll from the bench instead of duff and smith!

  • 45 Punk Skunk // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:01

    I’m down with that, good shout!..

  • 46 wsq // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:03

    anyone think we can be sneaky and bid for sergio aguero

  • 47 Spyro // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:07

    Bench: Cacapa, Milner, Carroll, Edgar, Forster

    i cant wait until the 7 subs rule is implemented. That will be truly beneficial for those hoping to develop their youngsters i.e. us

  • 48 Spyro // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:10

    probably not wsq, cost 20million + and again top european clubs will be sniffing around, KK said it himself i am sure, the best players dont want to come to us, we will get what the top teams do not want.

  • 49 Tom_Toon // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:10

    we can bid but it will never be accepted.bThey bought aguero for 15 mil and they want 30 mil , not worth it in my opinion.

    Spyro: Cacapa for Edgar - I think Edgar deserves his chance.

    Sorin for the toon :)

  • 50 Spyro // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:14

    Thing is, Smith and Duff will not make the bench if Cacapa is excused for Emre. Duff is too good to leave out of the squad, and Smith is perfect when we are in the lead and under the cosh. He breaks up play well.

    cant wait for the 7 subs thing. 5 is never enough

  • 51 Tom_Toon // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:18

    Everytime smith comes on and its a draw i think we will lose and when we are 1-0 up i think we will draw. Duff and Cacapa will be added to the bench now if we have 7 subs, but not next season.

  • 52 Spyro // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:20

    i take it you have turned against cacapa now aswell tom toon, i still think he is a class act and should have his time under the new regime. Same with Duff

  • 53 Tom_Toon // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:22

    Nh, hes good technically but not strong enough.

    If i want a defender on the bench to come on he has to be versatile like Edgar is and be no nonse like Edgar is.

    Dont really rate Duff, slow as my nan even with her new zimmer frame.

  • 54 Spyro // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:23

    i agree with you about Edgar, he is a class act and would make a great partner for Taylor When Faye needs replacing

    Based on what i have seen Duff do in the past i feel he deserves a shot under the new regime

  • 55 Spyro // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:31

    Lua Lua in for Duff then if he does go in the summer

  • 56 M. Stockley // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:45

    as much as i l0ve jimmy milner, id be tempted to leave things how they are for west ham. imo geremi is the weakest link in our staring line up at the mobut having said that he made mickey owen’s first goal on sun. certainly stick milner on bench though and swap alan smith for magic beans!

  • 57 obafemimartins // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:51

    i dont see the point in deciding our own line ups even though some people have some quite intersting ideas as we are not picking the team keegan is.

  • 58 Tom_Toon // Apr 23, 2008 at 0:55

    .

  • 59 Mr T // Apr 23, 2008 at 1:43

    Jimmy Milner is brazilian
    we wouldn’t sell him for £20M

    imo he’d do a much better job than Geremi, but it coukd still effect the way the team works? On the nench, bleed him in against Newcastle reserves and Nobby Solano.

  • 60 M. Stockley // Apr 23, 2008 at 2:10

    ….on the wing he’s f**kin brilliant!

    yeah he is much better than geremi,butlike i have said before id be reluctanttochange a winning formula!

  • 61 Spot The Zebra // Apr 23, 2008 at 5:49

    Itll be interesting to see where Milner plays when he does get his chance as he is so versatile and will be important for us next season because of this.

  • 62 Guinea Mag // Apr 23, 2008 at 8:01

    KK should not change the team unless we have injuries. Milner at best will make it on the bench and maybe come on for last 20 mins…..

    KK will continue to blood our youngsters in the final 10~20 minutes of each game such as Carrol, Edgar, etc…

    We can and should win at West Ham and I’m going for 1-3 scoreline!

  • 63 Ian // Apr 23, 2008 at 10:06

    I like Milner but i also wonder if we should play him against West Ham, we will probably win if we leave the team unchanged and Gerami was the reason we took the lead, the second goal against Sunderland is the luckiest goal I have ever seen, or unluckiest keeper, Milner would probably replace Gerami or Butt if he doesnt settle in straightaway we may lose one of our easier three point chances.










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